"It's human nature to find patterns where there are none and to find skill where luck is a more likely explanation (particularly if you're the lucky [mutual fund] manager). Mutual fund manager performance does not persist and the return of stock picking is zero." William Bernstein

In This Edition
Trip of a Lifetime
What a Time To Be On Vacation!
New Ways to Help Investors
Saving for retirement is easier than you think
Financial Literacy and Mastering the Million Dollar Decisions

Trip of a Lifetime

Zan and I have nothing but good things to say about our trip aboard Clio. Great accommodations, very good food, terrific guide and we were joined by over 20 friends from Bainbridge Island, our last port of call before moving to Portland, Oregon. Clio is 320 feet long, holds 89 passengers, 60 crew members and sails in the Mediterranean and Scandinavia Seas.

This was our second trip with Overseas Adventure Travels (OAT). Last years trip to Japan was all on land and this years trip explored the Mediterranean started in Greece, then to Sicily, Malta, Sardinia and finishing in Barcelona, Spain.

I hope our health stays good so we can experience many more OAT trips in the future.

What a Time To Be On Vacation

How could I have known that the moment I left town the stock market could have a meltdown.? I spent a fair amount of time responding to questions of, “What should I be doing? Should I be getting out of the market until this storm blows over?” What I found refreshing is many of those messages concluded, “I suspect you are going to tell me to stay the course!” YUP!

While we were traveling I read a lot of thoughtful articles that I hope were helpful. Here is one from Jim Dahle that I found helpful. 10 Ways to Feel Better About Losing Money

And I often turn to Ben Carlson to give important historical perspective to market returns and volatility. Here is his latest on “10 Percent Returns in the Stock Market"

New Ways to Help Investors

One of the highlights of the trip is I had lots of time to think about the work we are doing at the Foundation. I have returned with a whole new way that I think we can help first time, as well as seasoned investors. It may be the most impactful educational work we have done. Stay Tuned!

Saving for retirement is easier than you think

In pursuing that growth, I can’t overemphasize how important it is to start early. Time — lots and lots of it — is your biggest ally.

Here are four action items for you right away.

If you haven’t yet “gotten around to” starting a retirement savings program, do it now. Start this very week, using whatever money you have. It will feel good to be on your way.

Make a commitment to keep at it with a plan you can afford.
Get the long-term power of the stock market working for your savings right away.

And find a way to make your savings automatic so you don’t have to think about it every month or every paycheck. Read More.

Latest Podcast- Financial Literacy and Mastering the Million Dollar Decisions

April is Financial Literacy Month, and to help us celebrate we brought in a returning guest, Paul Merriman. Paul has been on the show before to discuss investment portfolios, but today he talks with us about some extraordinary strides he's making as a financial literacy advocate through his nonprofit, The Merriman Financial Education Foundation. We also share some of our favorite financial literacy resources.

TIMESTAMPS / CHAPTERS

00:00 📣 Introduction and Financial Literacy Impact

01:09 👋 Welcome and Guest Introduction

01:35 🤝 Paul Merriman's Nonprofit and Financial Literacy Story

02:33 💡 The Importance of Financial Literacy

06:59 🏫 Nonprofit Initiatives and University Programs

16:15 🏋️‍♀️ Bootcamp and Investment Decisions

18:07 🌐 Other Financial Literacy Organizations

22:09 🏛 State-Level Financial Literacy Education

25:55 ✨ Final Thoughts and Encouragement

31:27 🙏 Conclusion and Farewell

Financial Literacy and Mastering the Million Dollar Decisions

Saving for retirement is easier than you think

In This Edition Trip of a LifetimeWhat a Time To Be On Vacation!New Ways to Help InvestorsSaving for retirement is easier than you thinkFinancial Literacy and Mastering the Million Dollar Decisions

Photos from our Trip of a Lifetime

In This Edition
Trip of a Lifetime
What a Time To Be On Vacation!
New Ways to Help Investors
Saving for retirement is easier than you think
Financial Literacy and Mastering the Million Dollar Decisions

What a Time to be on Vacation