Out of clutter, find simplicity. From disorder, find harmony. In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.
- Albert Einstein

In This Edition
Balancing Hope and Reason: The Lifetime Path to Successful Investing
AAII- Seven Investment Decisions Guaranteed to change Your Financial Future
Financial and Life Planning Summit for Parents of a Child with a Disability
Truth Teller Corner
Testimonial

Our podcast and video this week is my interview with Mavis Tsai, a friend I have known for decades. Our paths crossed as I was teaching one of my free 3 or 6 hours workshop.

In January she asked me to participate in her 5-day online event entitled, "Confluence of Hearts: A Global Summit on True Self, Brave Connections, and a Love-Led World”

Juice up your S&P 500 fund for higher returns

In the description of the event she noted:

"Together, we will explore cutting-edge insights on reconnecting with our true selves and our fellow humans, dismantling antiquated societal structures, harnessing our passions and gifts, and co-creating a thriving future for generations to come by contributing our highest selves to the world.”

We have one thing in common. We are both trying to help people get better—but in very different ways.

When she asked me to participate I begged off.

Here is a paragraph from my attempt to graciously say no.

"I am trying to help people have a better financial future, and I’m willing to do it for free, but I’m not sure I fit the mold of the kind of speakers you are bringing together. I’m an expert on investing by the numbers. I want do-it-yourself investors to take the steps that will give them the highest probabilities of long term investment success. Normally that means squeezing every ounce of emotion out of the process.”

Mavis knows I like lists so she gave me a list I couldn’t resist.

1. Your expertise in investment not only aligns with our summit's focus on creating a love-led world but is a crucial piece of it. Financial stability and wisdom empower individuals to live their true selves and make brave connections. By teaching attendees how to secure their financial future, you're offering them the freedom to pursue their passions and contribute meaningfully to society.

2. Our summit thrives on the diversity of thoughts and approaches. Your unique perspective on investing by the numbers adds an invaluable dimension to our discussions. It’s about balancing the heart and mind—your approach provides the stability and clarity needed to pursue one's true passions with less financial fear.

3. Contrary to taking the passion out of investing, your method encourages a highly disciplined form of passion. It's about being passionate about our goals and the systematic pursuit of those goals. This disciplined approach is a form of emotional intelligence that is highly relevant to our attendees' journey towards a love-led life.

4. Your willingness to contribute your highest self by educating others for free is the epitome of what this summit stands for. (Your interview will be for less than an hour :)). It’s about contributing to a thriving future by sharing our gifts. Your insights can help our audience make informed decisions that align with their values and long-term success.

5. Your concern about confusing your followers is understandable. Participating in this summit, however, is an opportunity to show the depth and versatility of your expertise. It’s a platform to demonstrate how financial wisdom is foundational to living a fulfilled, passion-driven life, bridging your work with broader life goals.

I said yes and the conversation is entitled,

"Balancing Hope and Reason: The Lifetime Path to Successful Investing.”

I hope you enjoy it.

You can watch the video here.⁠

AAII- Seven Investment Decisions Guaranteed to change Your Financial Future

When: Jun 22, 2024 from 09:00 to 11:00 (PT)
Associated with AAII Orange County Chapter

On Saturday, June 22 from 9 am to 11 am Pacific time the AAII Chapters in NYC and Orange County are very pleased to present a webinar: “Seven Investment Decisions Guaranteed to change Your Financial Future,” discussed by Paul Merriman, Founder of the Merriman Financial Education Foundation, http://paulmerriman.com/. Paul is the 2021 recipient of the American Association of Individual Investors James Cloonan Award for Excellence in Investment Education.

Attend Mr. Merriman's discussion and you will learn:

The simple math of successful investing
An objective approach to choosing the best combination of asset class funds
How to maximize your retirement distributions while maximizing what you leave to others
How one offensive step and 25 defensive steps should make you a successful investor

Online Instructions:
Url: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_t4skfLUUQ1mZifNQJNKTfw

Financial and Life Planning Summit for Parents of a Child with a Disability

June 18th, 19th & 20th - Register now for three days of financial, practical, and potentially life changing information for parents of children with disabilities.

Expert Financial Guidance: Learn from the authors of the best-selling book Retire Secure for Parents of a Child with a Disability and discover proven strategies for securing your child's financial future.
Beyond Finances: Join our non-financial sessions to gain insights and practical tools for enhancing your family's overall well-being, reducing anxiety, and creating a supportive environment.
Access Valuable Resources: Discover a wealth of resources and tools to help you navigate the challenges and opportunities of raising a child with a disability.
A Diverse Range of Experts: Hear from a variety of speakers who work directly with families of children with disabilities or provide adjacent services.
Create a Custom Learning Experience: Choose from a variety of sessions to attend based on your individual needs and interests.

More Details on this PDF

Truth Teller Corner

I had two thoughts when I read this article America’s Piggy Banks Are Full from our Truth Teller Ben Carlson

1. People looking for reasons to be bullish on the market will consider the huge cash position as a likely source for future equity investments.

2. I wonder how many of our readers could improve the return on their cash holdings?

Truth Teller Rob Berger lists the following sources for cash holdings:

CD Rates (which now includes no-penalty CDs)
No-penalty: 5.25%
3-month: 5.51%
1-year: 5.40%
5-year: 4.80%
Savings account/MMA Rates: 5.55%
Best Bank Bonuses (up to $2,000)

Testimonial

One of our followers just graduated with a BS in Electrical Engineering from Rutgers University and is going to New York University to work on his PhD. In his email to he notes,

"I remember all of your lessons and try to evangelize them to whoever will listen to me! My sister and I understand your principles well and will apply them throughout our life. The roommates I have had also do. Your work has definitely impacted quite a few people that are close to me.”

He then goes on to share his budget while he is in graduate school.

His monthly after-tax income is $2,600 and his Roth contribution is $400.

By the way, this young “evangelist” set up a presentation for me to speak to 154 engineering honor students for 90 minutes in November 2022.

I truly mean it when I say it is an honor to be helping people who follow our work.

Thanks to all of you who pass our information along to others. Together we are making a difference!

Balancing Hope and Reason: The Lifetime Path to Successful Investing

Call To Action!

Here are a few simple ways to support the financial education work of The Merriman Financial Education Foundation, a registered 501(c)3. In so doing you help better the lives of individuals, families and communities, creating more opportunities for all.

Subscribe to our weekly “Sound Investing” podcast, available on your favorite listening platforms and leave a review. Tell us what you think!
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel, and hit the thumbs up, subscribe, leave a comment and share the link with your social media and friends.
Use our M1 Finance affiliate link to set up a brokerage account and use our portfolio suggestions. If you fund your account with a minimum of $1,000, our foundation will receive a one-time affiliate fee —at no cost to you—which helps support our financial education projects.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn
Buy our latest books, We’re Talking Millions! 12 Simple Ways To Supercharge Your Retirement and 2 Funds for Life: A quest for simple & effective investing strategies; all the profits help support our work.
Support our mission by making a tax-deductible donation to the Foundation.

In This EditionBalancing Hope and Reason: The Lifetime Path to Successful InvestingAAII- Seven Investment Decisions Guaranteed to change Your Financial FutureFinancial and Life Planning Summit for Parents of a Child with a DisabilityTruth Teller CornerTestimonial

In This Edition
Balancing Hope and Reason: The Lifetime Path to Successful Investing
AAII- Seven Investment Decisions Guaranteed to change Your Financial Future
Financial and Life Planning Summit for Parents of a Child with a Disability
Truth Teller Corner
Testimonial