"Life is inherently risky. There is only one big risk you should avoid at all costs,

and that is the risk of doing nothing." Denis Waitley

In This Edition
10th Annual Retiremeet Conference
Latest MarketWatch article
Latest Podcast- Great Questions

On February 24th I will be attending the 10th annual Retiremeet Conference (more details below) to work with two of the nicest people I know. I will join Tom Cock and Don McDonald and a terrific group of presenters for an entire day of financial education. I will speak on “How Much is Enough” from 11:30 to noon (pst)and join Tom for a 45 minute Q&A session while the live guests will enjoy their boxed lunch.

If you are there in person please drop by my table and let’s talk Sound Investing. For more information and registration go here.

If you are joining online please do me a favor. Tom is asking his folks what question they would like answered during the 45 minute session. How about sending me your question so I can add them to the list?

Please put “Retiremeet Q&A” in the subject line.

By the way, Westin Wellington is one of the speakers. When I was first introduced to DFA and their family of asset class funds over 30 years ago, it was Westin’s presentation I most remember. I can’t wait to see him in action again!

Latest MarketWatch Article-

The No. 1 reason investors fail in the long run

As I’m writing this, the U.S. stock market seems to be setting new highs daily. Investors are happy, and for many people the future seems bright.

I would like to hope they are right, and there’s nothing but financial sunshine ahead. But I know better, and you should too.

Right now, the past looks pretty good. Investors who bought into Vanguard’s popular S&P 500 fund VFINX and kept their money there with dividends reinvested achieved annualized returns of 13.8% over the past 15 years, 11.9% over the past 10 years, and 15.5% over the past five years.

Those returns (through the end of December 2023) were easy to achieve. Yet many investors — perhaps most — didn’t do that well.

In a recent newsletter, I asked readers why they think that happened.

Read article here

Latest Podcast

11 Q&A- Finding an advisor, educating kids, robo-advising, changing asset allocation and more

In the process of looking for a document I came across a group of questions that had been hidden away in my saved documents. The good news is the list included some great questions. The bad news is I'm not sure which presentation generated the questions.

1. What are the best investments to make and what milestones should an investor reach?

2. Do you recommend a solo 401k or SEP IRA for a single employee LLC that will never have employees? Recommended reading from Truth-Teller Jim Dahle- https://www.whitecoatinvestor.com/sep-ira-vs-solo-401k/

3. How much more do you think Avantis Small Cap Value (AVUV), which has higher fees, will make than Fidelity Small Cap Value Index (FISVX)?

4. I have $1.5 million in cash and a total portfolio value of $5.8 million. My asset allocation is 43% equities and 57% bonds. I have Social Security and other income of $90,000. Should I change my balance to 60% equities and 40% bonds?

5. If you only need a 2% withdrawal rate, what would be the right asset allocation for a someone really investing for my survivors? How about 90% equities and 10% bonds?

6. Is there a time or value of investments that someone should get a trusted advisor? If so, how do you find them? Several sources mentioned: https://www.garrettplanningnetwork.com/about/contact/ and https://adviceonlynetwork.com/

7. What changes can a 50-something make to boost their 401k returns?

8. What are your thoughts on robo advisors/investing?

9. What is your advice for a parent who wants to persuade their adult children to educate themselves about investing? After you listen to the answer please send me an email to paul@paulmerriman.com about what steps you would take? Please include your phone number.

10. Will the program be recorded? Of course I don’t know as I don’t know where the list came from. If you know, please let me know.

11. What should I do with penny stocks that are down 89 to 90 percent?

The No. 1 reason investors fail in the long run

11 Q&A- Finding an advisor, educating kids, robo-advising, changing asset allocation and more

Configurators, Returns and Risks, and 2 Thumbs Up Movie Review

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 Edition10th Annual Retiremeet ConferenceLatest MarketWatch articleLatest Podcast- Great Questions

In This Edition
10th Annual Retiremeet Conference
Latest MarketWatch article
Latest Podcast- Great Questions

How much is enough? Really!