“If I could buy a five-year put on every one of the cryptocurrencies, I’d be glad to do it, but I would never short a dime’s worth.”

In This Edition
Boglehead Conference 2025
Latest Podcast
Paul Merriman’s Crypto Poem
Testimonial

I just got the line up for the upcoming Boglehead Conference (October 17-19 in San Antonio). It is a wonderful list of speakers and topics. I have made of my list of the top 12 presentations I am going to attend:

Vanguard CEO Salim Ramji keynote
Tax Management and Tax-Efficient Investing Valerie Rivera
Factor Investing and Tax Strategies Wes Gray
IRA Tax Planning Strategies After OBBBA 25 and SECURE Acts Ed Slott
Bogleheads Investing Panel Allan Roth, Paul Merriman, Bill Bernstein, Rick Ferri, Jim Dahle, SC Gutierrez; moderated by Christine Benz I have no choice but to attend this one
Withdrawal Rate Deep Dive Christine Benz
Unfiltered Journey to FIRE Jackie Cummings Koski
Causes We Love: Turning Students into Investors Dylan Ingerman and Cole Mattox, in conversation with Mike Piper
What Your Family Needs to Know About Your Money Cameron Huddleston William Bernstein and John Rekenthaler in Conversation
Financial Historian Mark Higgins: Presentation and Fireside Chat with Bill Bernstein
Financial Planning for First Gens Valerie Rivera in conversation with Gouri Mukherjee

For the full line up of speakers and topics. https://boglecenter.net/2025conference/#agenda

Aside from attending these educational presentations I hope to speak with those who are attending the conference. We appreciate your interest in our educational information. Chris, Daryl and I are planning some important changes in helping you find a portfolio that you can truly “Stay the Course” (John Bogle’s #1 piece of advice) for the rest of your life. I would like to talk about that as well as any comments you have to make our work more impactful. If you have the time while you’re at the conference, let’s talk!

The best news of all: The Bogleheads University site will release the videos of all the presentations a 2 to 3 months after the conference.

I think it is wonderful that all of the speakers who participate in this conference pay all their own expenses. This is an all volunteer effort. John Bogle would like that!

Latest Podcast- 100% stocks, Crypto, customizing 4 fund portfolio, Bogleheads & more

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 episode of Sound Investing, Paul also revisits key lessons on building lasting portfolios. He explains why small-cap value has historically outperformed the S&P 500, how the Four-Fund Strategy makes diversification simple and effective, and why tax-efficient investing matters for 401(k)s, IRAs, Roths, and taxable accounts. He also highlights the importance of financial education for young people, pointing to NGPF.org’s Question of the Day as a powerful way to spark conversations about money. And, of course, Paul shares a reminder about the risks of hype-driven assets through the story of Bitcoin Pizza Day.

To close, Paul adds a lighter touch by reading a poem that he and Chatgpt wrote about cryptocurrency—written in the playful rhythm of The Music Man.

Testimonial

"Recently found Mr. Merriman in a joint interview with JL Collins and have since been reviewing his website. What a fantastic resource for diy investors like me! I have been adjusting my 401k every 3 months based on returns for years, but now I’m ready to stick to the 4-fund international plan outlined on his site. Thank you so much for all your hard work, Paul!!" @jacobpace2947

"Thank you for your comment Jacob. You response is similar to how I felt in 1994 when I had the opportunity to spend 2 days of lectures from the experts at Dimensional Funds. Here I am, 30 years later, strongly endorsing what they taught me so many years ago. It wasn't always easy. In the late 90s the S&P was cranking out twice the returns of a broadly diversified portfolio. Then the 10 year struggle for the S&P 500 (2000-2009) rewarded those with a more balanced portfolio of equity asset classes. Now that you have chosen a factor based investment plan I strongly suggest you dive deeper into the information from the folks who are actually managing your money. The websites of Dimensional Fund Advisors and Avantis funds are rich with historical data that should support your strategy for the rest of your life." Paul Merriman

100% stocks, Crypto, customizing 4 fund portfolio, Bogleheads & more

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In This EditionBoglehead Conference 2025Latest PodcastPaul Merriman’s Crypto PoemTestimonial

In This Edition
Boglehead Conference 2025
Latest Podcast
Paul Merriman’s Crypto Poem
Testimonial

Bogle Rules from the Grave