Paul Merriman is an internationally recognized authority on mutual funds, index investing, asset allocation modelling and buy-and-hold strategies. He has over 50 years of investing and advising experience and we are stoked to be able to tap into his wealth of knowledge. Although Paul is “retired” he is as busy as ever, educating people of all ages on how to take investment decisions into their own hands. On this killer episode, we discuss one of his books “101 Investment Decisions Guaranteed to Change Your Financial Future” and break it down into the 12 top points. On each point, Paul explains the decision in detail and gives us advice on how to apply this practically to our own portfolios. This is a great episode for all levels of investing experience.
Relevant links:
Pauls website - http://paulmerriman.com/
Recommended Books:
Paul Merriman - 101 Investment Decisions
Tony Robbins - Money Master of the Game
Discussed:
Five Steps to More Money, Less Risk and More Peace of Mind - https://youtu.be/P552ZhCxnrE
Time Stamp - Topic:
02:30 - Retirement home in Mexico
09:00 - How Paul started with finance
13:25 - Choosing to save vs. spend
20:26 - Making 16% interest on a CD
23:40 - Long term investing with stocks over bonds
29:40 - One stock vs. many stocks
33:20 - Stockbroker story selling
34:38 - Investing like a multi-millionaire
37:00 - Thoughts on Tony Robbins Money Master of the Game
40:15 - Personal picks or hire an expert
42:27 - Load funds vs. no-load funds
48:40 - Operating mutual funds with high expenses vs. low expenses
54:20 - High taxes, low taxes and no taxes with a Roth IRA / 401k
57:40 - Managing active and passive index funds
59:57 - Total market fund vs. Total market + value and small cap
1:02:30 - Using you select funds or target date funds
1:04:20 - 100% Target date funds vs. target date and adding small cap value
1:08:00 - Do you trust Wall Street, Main Street or University Street academics?
1:13:22 - Are international stocks necessary?
1:15:55 - Financial advisory hiring strategy
1:18:20 - Paul’s future asset allocation model
Sam Dogen from Financial Samurai is one of the premier bloggers and names in self-made success. His blog www.FinancialSamurai.com provides actionable advice in living responsibly, making smart financial decision, and steps to accumulating wealth for an early retirement. Sam is a guy who transitioned from corporate America, to going out on his own starting with a blog and parlaying his success into other investments to build several income streams. He reached retirement just a few years after at the age of 34, and now enjoys living on the West Coast, playing tennis, and advising FinTech companies. We were pumped to get him on the show to tell his story, his advice, and how he sees the world now being retired in his 30s.
Relevant links for guest:
Sam’s Twitter
Sam’s Blog
Recommended (books, subscriptions):
Sam Bogen - Financial Samurai: Slicing Through Money's Mysteries
Discussed (relevant links):
I'm a strong believer in Stealth Wealth! http://www.financialsamurai.com/the-rise-of-stealth-wealth-guide-to-staying-invisible-from-society-rage/
How Much Can You Really Make Blogging For A Living - http://www.financialsamurai.com/blogging-for-a-living-how-much-can-you-really-make-online/
How To Build A Stronger Brand For Your Blog Or Career - http://www.financialsamurai.com/how-to-build-a-stronger-brand-for-your-business-blog-and-career/
Investment Strategies For Retirement Based On Modern Portfolio Theory - http://www.financialsamurai.com/investment-strategies-for-retirement-based-on-modern-portfolio-theory/
Never Quit, Get Laid - http://www.financialsamurai.com/dont-get-fired-or-quit-get-laid-off-instead/
Time Stamp - Topic:
07:40 - The #1 place for digital nomads
11:20 - How Sam retired by 34
15:50 - Investing $3k in the stock market
22:00 - Making $1,200 on a personal blog
26:00 - Quitting a multiple Six figure income
29:30 - Negotiating a severance
30:50 - Working as a full-time blogger
32:00 - Active / passive investments
35:15 - Does $75,000 a year equal optimal happiness?
38:20 - Changing the asset allocation model
46:00 - Thoughts on Robo-advisory
49:50 - Favorite asset class to build wealth
54:15 - Tracking net wealth and income stream
55:30 - Retired life after financial independence
59:40 - Advice to obtain financial freedom
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