"Flailing: There isn’t much of a correlation between how fast you swim and how much energy you put into it.

In fact, drowning people burn plenty of calories but they don’t go anywhere. When we’re confronting a new problem, more effort might not be the answer. It could be that we benefit by staying calm and focusing on our technique instead." -Seth Godin

In This Edition
What Train Will You Be On?
Jim Dahle on the Baby Bonus!
Latest Podcast
Testimonial

I feel like one of the luckiest people in the world. I am married to a wonderful woman who supports me in my mission in life—trying to help others improve their financial future by making better investment choices. She is not my first wife. In fact she is my 4th wife. I’m not proud of that track record but it is what it is and I look at it as the outcome of a lifetime of random events.

My first wife happened because I chose to go to a street dance rather than go out for a bite to eat. My second wife happened because I coached a little league baseball team and her daughter was on the team. My third wife happened because I went to speak to the American Association of Individuals Investors (AAII) Chapter in Kansas City. The fourth, and final wife, happened because I went to a retirement party for my dear friend Lynn Staheli.

Yes, there is more to each one of the stories but I had to take a fork in the road to be on the path in each case. In every life story, we get the chance to get on or off a train that is passing by. And in every case that decision creates a different future. And at each of those “life changing decisions” we are rarely accompanied by an expert to help us think through the likely outcome of that decision.

I’ve made a lot of terrible decisions in my life and while it is difficult to go back and fix the outcome of the obvious mistakes, I still feel like one of the luckiest people in the world.

My hope is our educational information will help you make the right choices as the investment industry train comes rolling by.

In case you have any question what the most important decisions are, here is list of reminders:

Save vs. spend
Save early vs. save later
Stocks vs. bonds
One stock vs. many stocks
You pick vs. mutual funds pick the stocks
Passive vs. actively managed funds
All growth funds vs. adding value funds
All large cap funds vs. adding small cap funds
High taxes vs. low taxes vs. no taxes
Dollar cost averaging vs. waiting for the right time
Buy and hold vs. market timing
Target date funds vs. managing your asset allocation

Every one of these decisions is simple—but not always easy. They require clarity, discipline, and often the courage to do the boring thing when everyone else is chasing the next big thing.

But if you make just a handful of these million-dollar decisions, you’ll be setting yourself—and your family—on a path that Wall Street doesn’t often advertise: a lifetime of financial freedom built quietly, steadily, and in your own best interest.

Is there someone in your life you think could benefit from the discussion of these 12 huge decisions? Here are several ways to access this information: The following link is to a free pdf of our book, "We’re Talking Millions! 12 Simple Ways to Supercharge Your Retirement.” A second and third link takes you to a 2 hour video and podcast on the 12 million dollar decisions. And finally a very short (12 minute) podcast or video review of the 12 decisions.

Thanks for your help in spreading the word!

Jim Dahle on the Baby Bonus!

"One of the more interesting aspects of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was the implementation of a new kind of investing account dubbed Trump Accounts (TAs). Originally called “Invest America Accounts” and “American Opportunity Accounts” before their polarizing renaming, the intent of TAs was to provide a financial stake in the capital markets for all children starting at birth so they will learn about investing, benefit from compound growth, and share a common interest in the broad success of American industries.

The legislation about these TAs was rapidly changing all the way up until it was passed, so there is quite a bit of false information on the internet about these accounts that resulted from differing versions of the House and Senate bills. I finally gave up and just went to the legislation itself to find a definitive source for information. You can do the same here (scroll to section 70204)." Read Article.

Latest Podcast: 12 Million Dollar Decisions

In November 2020 The Merriman Financial Education Foundation released “We’re Talking Millions! 12 Simple Ways to Supercharge Your Retirement.” The purpose of the book was to focus on a series of very simple steps any investor might take to improve their financial future.

"Understanding how to invest wisely for your future can be daunting. Many people never get started for fear of making mistakes. Others make choices based on hearsay and hope, sold on hype or risk aversion. In "We're Talking Millions!" you will learn why and how to make a handful of smart choices that can turn modest regular savings into a secure future. You'll discover "12 Small Steps with Big Payoffs," each of which can add $1 million or more to your retirement nest egg if you start in your 20s or 30s.

These steps are well known.”

The book has had a huge impact on an untold number of readers. The numbers are unknown because the Foundation offers the book free as a pdf, as well as a free link to the audio version that was read by Truth Teller Don McDonald.

While the book has had almost 400 online Amazon reviews (averaging 4 1/2 stars), the approximately 100 written reviews have over 95% 5 star ratings. Here is one from a young student (age 19 at the time) who is now in medical school!

5.0 out of 5 stars Life-changing book for young people interested in investing
Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2020
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
"We're Talking Millions" was a life-changing book. I am a 19 year-old college student who was directed toward Mr. Merriman's book as a great resource for first time investors. His book was the the perfect resource for someone with little to no prior knowledge about investing.

It starts by outlining the twelve steps to boost a retirement fund, listing tips and tricks along the way. One of the most helpful parts for me was that all of the investment lingo was clearly defined and explained, and I could get a very clear sense as to how each of these small steps fits into the overall puzzle. The book then outlines how to get started: explaining the "Two Funds for Life" investment plan, what investment companies are best to use, and suggesting specific investment funds.

I cannot recommend this book enough!! I feel confident about my investment plan after reading this book, and I plan to share it with as many of my peers as possible. I have already given it to my sister and best friend. If you are looking for information about investing and don't have the energy to read a long, dense investing book, then "We're Talking Millions" is the book for you! It is interesting, short, and extremely informative, and I hope that it helps you as much as it helped me.

Now Paul has recorded this podcast and a video to discuss the 12 steps. The video was produced as part of a special offering to introduce Western Washington University alumni to The Merriman Financial Literacy Program that is working to educate all WWU students on the personal finance topics that will be an important part of their future.

Our hope is you will pass along these links to others in your life who might benefit from this free educational information.

Testimonial

I want to applaud Chris Pedersen’s work and book on Two-Funds-4-Life. I was a UBH investor, and 2FL in my retirement accounts has greatly simplified my life and I don’t worry about my accounts anymore (and I look at them a lot less). Eric

12 Million Dollar Decisions

The best ways to invest in stock funds

In This Edition What Train Will You Be On?Jim Dahle on the Baby Bonus!Latest PodcastTestimonial

In This Edition
What Train Will You Be On?
Jim Dahle on the Baby Bonus!
Latest Podcast
Testimonial

What train will you be on?