“People in their 30s know where the world is going because they’re going to do it. I’m in my 80s so I have no idea.” —Daniel Kahneman

In This Edition
The Simple Path To Wealth
Your Top Retirement Questions Answered
Latest Podcast
Testimonial

The last several weeks we have gotten a lot of feedback from the Boot Camp Series. This afternoon I got an email that starts,"First, allow me to thank you for the outstanding education you offer. I have listened to most of your podcasts over the past three years, and you have allowed me to gain the necessary confidence to become my own financial advisor.”

I have had many friends in the industry suggest that we give investors too much information. They caution that the 200 plus tables and dozens of portfolios we offer are probably creating more confusion than the peace of mind that we profess to offer.

In the next couple of weeks you will be able to listen to a conversation I had with JL Collins. He offers one investment solution that is super simple: Invest in the Total Market Index! I’ve talked to many of his followers and they are generally very comfortable with his recommendation.

I should mention his book, "The Simple Path to Wealth," has sold over 700,000 copies, probably 7 times the number of copies we have been able to give away without cost.

As you will hear in the conversation he is concerned that a portfolio of too many funds could become confusing. His concern is that perfect will become enemy of good enough.

I see his point but I think the extra time and effort you will have to put in should produce a higher return over the long term. I was particularly pleased when JL agreed with that assumption.

I hope you listen to the conversation when it is available. And for parents who don’t think your kids will be able to maintain our portfolios, I encourage you read and share JL's book.

Free Online Programs: Financial Education Series

National Experts Share What You Need to Know for a More Financially Stable Future

Financial literacy is empowering—yet good, practical education about financial management is too often out of reach for people, especially those with limited incomes. Former BCF Board member Paul Merriman—founder of The Merriman Financial Education Foundation—has dedicated his retirement to providing free education for all ages about how to secure a more stable financial future.

On behalf of BCF, every year Paul organizes free virtual events with speakers who are nationally renowned experts in their fields in order to help educate our community on how to better plan for our futures. These events target all ages and levels of financial literacy, including youth, first-time investors who are still in the workforce, and those who have just entered retirement. Learn more below!

Your Top Retirement Questions, Answered-
Thursday, April 4 at 4:30PM

Join Christine Benz, Director of Personal Finance and Retirement Planning at Morningstar, for answers to seven of the biggest questions facing those entering or in retirement.

Co-presented with the Bainbridge Community Foundation. RSVP through the Senior/Community Center.

Latest Podcast- Flexible Contributions 2024 Update

In this podcast Paul addresses the advantage of using a Flexible Distribution strategy. He starts by mentioning the earlier podcasts that focused on the ⁠Sound Investing Portfolios,⁠ ⁠Fine Tuning Your Asset Allocation Tables⁠ and ⁠Fixed Distribution Tables⁠ ⁠D1.4⁠, ⁠D1.5,⁠ ⁠D9.4⁠ and ⁠D9.5⁠.

He then focuses on Flexible Distribution Tables ⁠F1.4⁠, ⁠F1.5⁠, ⁠F1.6⁠, ⁠F9.5 ⁠and ⁠F9.6⁠. The following are links for listeners who want to review all the Fine Tuning Tables, all the Fixed Distribution Tables and all the Flexible Distribution Tables.

⁠⁠9 Fine Tuning Your Asset Allocation Tables⁠

S&P 500 (⁠⁠Table B1⁠⁠)

U.S. 2-Fund (50/50 S&P and Small Cap Value) (⁠⁠Table B9⁠⁠)

⁠Fixed Distribution Tables⁠

⁠Flexible Distribution Tables⁠

For questions on Flexible Distributions please send to ⁠paul@paulmerriman.com⁠ or post the questions in the comments section of the Flexible Distribution video.

Testimonial- Youtube Comment

Bootcamp #6 Fixed Distribution 2024 Update

"I am a 72 year old retired physician and manage our portfolio after trying 4 different money managers over the years. Now, with more time on my hands, I watch quite a few finance you tubes. I must say that your kindness, teaching skills and foundation mission are a huge boon to young and old alike as they work on or manage their financial freedom. The information you and your volunteers provide is powerful and first rate. Bravo to a job well done."

The truth about investing: ‘Common sense’ can be the worst advice

Fixed Contributions 2024 Update

Bootcamp #6 Fixed Distributions 2024 Update

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 EditionThe Simple Path To WealthYour Top Retirement Questions AnsweredLatest PodcastTestimonial

In This Edition
The Simple Path To Wealth
Your Top Retirement Questions Answered
Latest Podcast
Testimonial

Boot Camp Rocks!