Shows / Sound Investing

Sound Investing
Weekly podcasts with Paul Merriman. Strategic planning for investing at every stage of life.
Episodes
Sound InvestingThe Best Podcast of 2018: Mark Hulbert on “Lessons learned from 40 years of independently tracking investment advisers’ performance”
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…
Sound InvestingInvestment lies many investors believe… especially during market declines
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…
Sound InvestingAlways something more to learn, and teach
In this lively conversation, Paul talks with Tim Ranzetta of NextGen Personal Finance about index funds, dispelling common myths young people have about money…
Sound InvestingHow much should I have in equities? And other questions
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…
Sound InvestingThe Only 12 Things You Need to Know to be a Successful Investor for Life
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…
Sound InvestingUpdates on ETFs and other projects with Chris Pedersen and Paul Merriman
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…
Sound InvestingHow to respond to election results plus 8 investment Q&A’s
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…
Sound Investing2 Funds for Life: The Bottom Line (10 lessons from the 2 Funds for Life study)
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…
Sound Investing2 Funds For Life
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…
Sound InvestingValue, risk and retirement
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…
Sound InvestingWhat’s wrong with target date funds? The three greatest investment products – Part II
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…
Sound InvestingBest mutual fund and best “safe” withdrawal rate, plus 8 Q&A’s
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…
Sound InvestingThe three greatest investment products – Part I
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…
Sound InvestingCan we trust hypothetical returns, plus 7 Q&As
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…
Sound Investing10 things Mark Cuban says to do with your money
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…
Sound InvestingPassive vs. Active: Paul Merriman vs. Ken Fisher
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…
Sound Investing10 Q&A for investors trying to do the right thing
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…
Sound InvestingHow To Invest In Today’s Market
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…
Sound InvestingThe coming correction and other questions
In this podcast Paul answers seven questions from his listeners/readers about bonds, Dimensional Funds, market collapse and correction, treasury funds, market…
Sound InvestingWhat you probably don’t know about Paul Merriman
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…
Sound InvestingWhat is the best Vanguard balanced fund?
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…
Sound InvestingSmall-Cap Value: What Could Go Wrong?
This podcast was produced with an accompanying slideshow. Listen and watch here: Small Cap Value: What Could Go Wrong. Paul examines the historical and…
Sound InvestingFinance across the generations
Paul is interviewed by George Grombacher, consultant, podcaster, writer and speaker, on his Money Savage Podcast. They discuss how bias can impact investing as…
Sound InvestingHow will you change your Vanguard ETF portfolios?
Last week Vanguard announced they are adding 1,800 commission-free ETFs to their present line up. In this podcast Paul answers what this may mean for investors…
Sound InvestingThe truth of market timing and more
In this interview with Pure Financial‘s “Today on Your Money, Your Wealth”, Paul discusses the truth on market timing vs. buy-and-hold – and explains why he…
Sound InvestingAre great value returns a thing of the past? And nine other Q&A’s
Paul answers questions from his readers and listeners. 1. Can you recommend a portfolio of DFA funds? 2. How does an investor choose between all value and…
Sound InvestingInvesting Myths
Paul discusses 15 investment myths that can cost investors a lot of money, with Ken Roberts, host of ‘Ken’s Bulls and Bears’, The myths include: Investing is…
Sound InvestingPreparing for retirement
In an interview with Jason R. Parker – author of Sound Retirement Planning, a blog and radio show by the same name, and president of Parker Financial LLC, a…
Sound InvestingA huge reason to invest in small-cap value
For many years I’ve sung the praises of small-cap value for all investors. Of course, that would be a relatively small percentage for retirees and a lot for…
Sound InvestingShould we get out now? Plus 9 Q&A
My recent opportunities to educate investors have been extremely satisfying, including a presentation to teenagers and their parents on Bainbridge Island…
Sound InvestingThe Truth about Market Timing
Do you think the market is close to the top and you should be considering an exit strategy? Let’s talk about market timing, as it seems a lot of investors are…
Sound InvestingThose who come out ahead have put their trust in the system over the long term
I had the recent pleasure of being interviewed by Meb Faber, co-founder and the Chief Investment Officer of Cambria Investment Management, and author of five…
Sound InvestingWhat rate of return should I use in my retirement plan?
One of the toughest decisions in a financial plan is the assumption of returns for the equity part of the portfolio. This presentation is intended to help you…
Sound InvestingInvesting for Life: Dr. Jim Dahle of White Coat Investing interviews Paul Merriman
In this interview with Jim Dahle, M.D., Paul covers about a wide range of investment topics, from getting started to retirement planning and distributions…
Sound InvestingThe ultimate distribution strategy: 2018 update
Paul’s favorite distribution strateg Each year Paul updates his favorite distribution strategy. In this discussion listeners will want to have copies of…
Sound InvestingBig news- SPIVA and DALBAR reports are out!
Paul discusses two reports from his annual “must read” list: SPIVA and DALBAR. The SPIVA report makes the strongest statistical case for index funds over…
Sound InvestingFixed Distribution Strategies-2018 Update
The decision to establish a fixed distribution strategy can help ensure your peace of mind in retirement. This strategy is designed for people who retire with…
Sound InvestingThe most important lesson from “Save $1000 a year. Retire with millions”
Paul begins this podcast in response to tough critiques from some readers about this very popular article and podcast. He speaks to what he thinks are the most…
Sound InvestingBuilding a million dollar portfolio with $1000 a year
For over 20 years Paul has been producing articles and podcasts on 3 important decisions investors must make. The first is The Ultimate Buy-and-Hold Strategy…
Sound InvestingHow to get started investing and keep going – Q&A
One young investor following Paul’s advice wrote to him: “Paul, thank you for everything you’ve done. The podcast, books and website have changed my life.”…
Sound InvestingFine Tuning Your Asset Allocation,Worldwide and All Value Portfolios
In a recent podcast, Paul discussed a table of historical risk-and-return data for the S&P 500. The purpose of that podcast and corresponding table was to give…
Sound InvestingIs it time to sell? and other investor questions
In this podcast, Paul answers a variety of recent listener questions: • Is it time to sell and move more of my portfolio into money market or bond funds? • Can…
Sound InvestingFine Tuning Your Asset Allocation with the S&P 500 2018 update
Most of our annual Fine Tuning articles and podcasts have covered all of the major asset classes. This year we dedicate an article and podcast to just the S&P…
Sound InvestingCDs vs. bonds and other important questions
Does it ever make sense to use actively-managed funds? One of our readers asked us to review a major 401k plan (40,000 employees) that offered only two equity…
Sound Investing2018 Update of Paul’s “Ultimate Buy-and-Hold” Portfolio
For many years Paul and Rich have updated the Ultimate Buy-and-Hold Portfolio, and have posted the updates for 2018. This podcast is a step-by-step discussion…
Sound InvestingTopics you can’t afford to miss
Ken Roberts – of Ken’s Bulls & Bears on KCKQ AM 1180 in northern Nevada – recently interviewed Paul. In this 43 minute conversation they discuss target date…
Sound InvestingPros and Cons of Motif and M1 Finance
The Motif Investing and M1 Finance companies allow investors to create a customized portfolio of individual securities and ETFs. Paul and Chris Pedersen…
Sound InvestingPassive VS. Active Q&A
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…
Sound InvestingThe #1 investment table
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…
Sound Investing2017 Portfolio performance plus your questions answered
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…
Sound InvestingWhat you should know about 2017 returns
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…
Sound InvestingWhat I think about Bitcoin and my 12 projects for 2018
This podcast presents plans for 12 major projects for 2018 by The Merriman Financial Education Foundation. They include fund selection for self-directed 401k…
Sound InvestingWhat to do about bonds?
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…
Sound Investing10 things you should know about small cap value
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…
Sound Investing8 Great Investment Questions and Answers
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…
Sound Investing34 ways to get more out of your 401k
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…
Sound InvestingIs it time to get more conservative? And 9 more interesting questions…
On November 18, 2017, Paul spoke to 170 investors. Some were clients of Merriman Wealth Management and others followers of Paul’s online educational efforts…
Sound Investing12 Answers to Investor Questions
Paul answers 12 questions from his readers and listeners concerning REITS, bonds, gold, investment risks, portfolio management, asset class allocation and…
Sound InvestingLessons learned at AAII Conference
The AAII (American Association of Individual Investors) Conference was a treasure trove of investment history and advice for amateur investors. In fact, Paul…
Sound InvestingIntroducing The Merriman Ultimate Target-Date Portfolios
Chris Pedersen joins Paul to talk about their latest research on getting better returns from Target-Date portfolios. The discussion includes the pros and cons…