"Often, the things we want the most aren’t directly related to the things we need. In fact, they might be very similar to things we already have. Wants are fueled by stories, and stories come from culture and connection and marketing, not from our actual physical or spiritual needs." Seth Godin

In This Edition
Fincon 2025
Latest Podcast
Happy 12 Years on Youtube
Testimonial

FINCON 2025 is happening in Portland, Oregon this week and I have taken 3 days “off" to listen to comments from some of the best known online financial educators. In fact, this morning I will be having breakfast with Rob Berger, one of our Truth Tellers. As I listen to the presentations I realize how much more we could be doing to help do it yourself investors. I will share some of those lessons next week.

Latest Podcast- Saving for Retirement: 100% S&P 500 vs. 60/40 — A Lifetime Portfolio Comparison

Paul Merriman explores one of the most important decisions every long-term investor faces: Should your retirement savings be invested entirely in equities, or should you balance your portfolio with a mix of stocks and bonds?

Paul compares two “lifetime” investment strategies:

100% Equity Portfolio (S&P 500): Maximum growth potential, but maximum volatility.

60/40 Portfolio (60% Stocks / 40% Bonds): A classic “balanced” approach with reduced risk.

Using data from multiple decades and several key tables—

Table B1 Fine Tuning Table: S&P 500 Equity Portfolio⁠

⁠Table H2a Sound Investing Portfolios (these portfolios are all 100% equities)⁠

⁠Table H2 Sound Investing Portfolios (these portfolios are all 60% equities/40% fixed income)

⁠Table C1 Fixed Contributions ($1,000/yr: S&P 500 Equity Portfolio

—Paul reveals how each portfolio would have performed over 55 years of accumulation and retirement, comparing growth, risk, and long-term sustainability.

You’ll discover:

How often 60/40 actually outperformed 100% equities during downturns.
Why volatility, drawdowns, and risk matter as much as returns.
The “half the risk” advantage of the 60/40 strategy.
How consistent contributions—whether $1,000 or $6,000 per year—grow dramatically over time.

Finally, Paul previews the next podcast, where he’ll compare the same 100% vs. 60/40 strategies using the U.S. 4-Fund and Worldwide 4-Fund portfolios.

Key Takeaways:

100% equities historically delivered higher returns but with far greater volatility and deeper drawdowns.
The 60/40 portfolio captured most of the returns with roughly half the risk.
Consistency, time horizon, and investor temperament all matter when choosing your “lifetime” portfolio strategy.

Youtube Testimonial- 4 Portfolio Levels for Wealth Building (Start Simple, Grow Big) with Investment Expert Paul Merriman

Thank you for having Paul Merriman on! I discovered him a few years ago on YouTube and just love his videos. I have learned so much about how to diversify. I am 62 and just retired. I have been 100% equities from the age 30 to 61 consistently saving. I have now moved to include fixed income as I am living off my portfolio now. And I hope to help my nieces save in a Roth IRA very soon!

Saving for Retirement: 100% S&P 500 vs. 60/40 — A Lifetime Portfolio Comparison

Lifecycle Investing : The Ages of the Investor

How to retire with more money and greater peace of mind

In This EditionFincon 2025Latest PodcastHappy 12 Years on YoutubeTestimonial

In This Edition
Fincon 2025
Latest Podcast
Happy 12 Years on Youtube
Testimonial