Evidence-Based Investing, Index Funds & Staying the Course

I recently sat down with Steve Chen on his Boldin Your Money podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about evidence-based investing — and why it matters more than ever in a world of speculation, hype, and constant financial noise. We covered my early days as a stockbroker in the 1960s, the psychology that trips investors up in downturns, how low-cost index funds transformed personal finance, factor investing and small-cap value, and why younger investors are being pulled toward gambling-like behavior through apps, crypto, and prediction markets. Whether you're just starting out or planning for retirement, I think you'll find it time well spent.

KEY TOPICS DISCUSSED• The difference between investing and speculation• Why staying the course is emotionally difficult• Wall Street incentives and investor behavior• The origins of index fund investing• Factor investing and small-cap value explained• Why diversification matters long term• Rebalancing strategies and portfolio management• Financial literacy and generational investing habits• Why gambling behavior is becoming normalized• How AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude are changing education• The psychology behind successful long-term investors

TIMESTAMPS00:00 Introduction02:55 Paul Merriman's start in investing05:20 Wall Street incentives and conflicts of interest08:35 Why investing is harder than it looks12:25 Investing vs speculation15:40 Why people panic during market crashes17:30 The psychology of staying the course19:10 Generational wealth and financial literacy23:40 The case for index funds28:45 Factor investing explained32:30 The four-fund portfolio strategy36:00 Rebalancing and long-term returns38:00 ChatGPT, Claude, and financial education42:15 Market valuations and investor behavior45:30 Building wealth intentionally49:00 Gambling culture and modern investing51:45 Teaching financial literacy to younger generations54:00 Final thoughts on long-term investing

RESOURCES MENTIONEDPaul Merriman Foundation: https://www.paulmerriman.com/Try the Boldin Planner for free: https://go.boldin.com/podcasttep110

Watch Video here- https://youtu.be/y_i5wrr_tfM