I had never heard of Erin Moriarity before she contacted me about having a conversation with her on “Erin Talks Money.” When I visited her Youtube channel I immediately realized what a powerhouse she is. She has over 200,000 subscribers to her Youtube channel and her videos are terrific. She has over 800 videos on topics most young investors or beginners at any age need to see. 36 videos on budgeting, 133 on retirement, and much more. Recently she started interviewing old experienced “experts." Her first two guest interviews were Ed Scott and Bill Bengen. I felt honored to be a part of a team who want to help teach her followers. Plus, if you read the comments on the YouTube video it’s obvious she has a large group of loyal followers. By the way, her followers made me feel very welcome.

"Erin, that was an absolute Masterclass in investing! Thanks for bring Paul to your channel. I enjoyed seeing how comfortable you and the guest were and how the conversation naturally flowed between topics. I’m going to make sure my kids view this. Advice and insights for LIFE!"

"Excellent video, Erin! How do we know Erin is a force in investing advice? Look at the people she's had on her channel! I'm thankful to Erin not only for the great advice, but she is someone I can show my daughters, ages 21 and 25, and go "Look at Erin. If she can invest and make good choices w her money, so can you!". This means the world to me for them to see someone they can relate to, who disseminates complicated ideas and concepts in an understandable way. And BTW, I confirmed I'm subscribed to her channel “

0:00 Introduction & Meet Paul Merriman 2:14 The Power of Starting Early (For You & Your Kids) 7:14 100% Equities for Young Investors & Avoiding Overexposure to the S&P 500 14:02 Predicting Future Returns, Compounding & Patience 22:27 Market Cycles, Psychology & Preparing for Bad Times 25:12 Choosing the Right Portfolio Complexity (Levels 1–3) 34:08 Traditional vs. Non-Traditional Index Funds & Vanguard Loyalty 41:34 Why We Own the Whole Market & The Case for 60/40 46:19 Staying the Course, Chasing Returns & Capturing Extra Gains 57:00 How Investing Has Changed & Automatic Enrollment Benefits 1:01:45 Knowing When You Have Enough & The Rise of Hourly Advisors 1:08:44 The 3 Things Every DIY Investor Should Do & Closing Thoughts

Watch the video here

What’s holding investors back from building real wealth?

Talking Real Money, hosts Don McDonald and Tom Cock take aim at the 10 most damaging myths, lies, and mistakes that cost investors big—often millions.

You’ll learn:

• Why "having a guy" isn’t a strategy—it's a setup

• Why predicting the market is like calling a psychic

• How starting too late can cost you over half a million

• The hard truth about individual stocks, expensive advisors, and false promises of risk-free wealth

• Why diversification, low costs, and understanding your real risk profile actually work

Don McDonald, a 34-year financial talk radio veteran, and Tom Cock, the former host of Serious Money on PBS, join forces to cut through financial jargon and expose what really works. In every episode, they solve real money problems, share smart long-term strategies, and bring clarity to the complex financial issues that affect all of us.

Talking Real Money is designed to give you the real help you need for a really great financial future—and yes, it’s actually fun to listen to.

Bonus shoutout: Don McDonald also generously donated his time to narrate the audiobook version of Paul Merriman’s bestselling book, “We’re Talking Millions!” His voice brings the content to life with clarity, energy, and heart. He’s not only a brilliant communicator—he’s also a phenomenal reader. Listen to the audiobook here.

On this special Q&A episode—recorded July 29 2025—Paul Merriman gears up for his August 2 keynote at the Garrett Planning Network Retreat, where he will address more than 100 hourly financial advisors about the future of financial literacy. He invites listeners to email questions for the panel (paul@paulmerriman.com) and then dives into ten wide‑ranging listener questions that benefit investors of every age and stage.

What you’ll learn

• Adding QQQ to the 10‑Fund “Ultimate Buy‑and‑Hold” portfolio: upside vs. hidden downside.
• Toughest markets Paul has faced—from the 1966–1981 whipsaw to the 1987 crash—and the timeless lessons they teach.
• Global diversification in 2025: 50/50 vs. 70/30 U.S./international and why volatility, not return, drives the decision. Table B4, Table B3a and Table B3b
• Small‑Cap Value vs. S&P 500 performance: 1975‑1999’s 5 % premium, 2000‑2025’s 2.6 % edge, and what it means going forward.
• Avantis + DFA split for deeper diversification (cost, holdings, tracking error).
• Risks of an all‑Small‑Cap‑Value portfolio and when a worldwide all‑value approach makes more sense.
• Using DFA International Small‑Cap Value (DFISX) inside a 403(b) for a Two‑Fund strategy.
• Vanguard STAR vs. Vanguard Wellington: balanced‑fund showdown and why Wellington’s 60/40 mix wins in the long run.
• Rebalancing at age 62: tax‑smart moves, asset‑location tactics, and simplifying with target‑date or balanced funds.
• Anatomy of the Ultimate Buy‑and‑Hold strategy: 10 equity asset classes, why it started in 1994‑95, and how four‑ and two‑fund variations stack up. Sound Investing Portfolio Returns (1970-2024) 50/50 and Sound Investing Portfolio Returns (1970-2024) 70/30

Paul backs every takeaway with real‑world data—from DFA, Avantis, Vanguard, and Russell indexes—illustrating how disciplined asset allocation can tame the brutal drawdowns that crush performance when investors chase recent winners. You’ll hear why trend‑following protected clients in 1987, how dividends rescued returns in the 1966–1981 “go‑nowhere” market, and why low‑cost indexing plus global value exposure remain his bedrock recommendations.

Got a question for Paul’s hourly‑advisor panel? Email it before July 31 and help shape the conversation on transparent, client‑first advice.

Listen now to sharpen your strategy—whether you’re building wealth, 20 years from retirement, or fine‑tuning a 50/50 portfolio in your 60s.