Q&A Follow-up: "Which Is The Best 1-,2-, 3- and 4 Fund Strategy?” Part 2

This is the second of three Q&A sessions with Paul Merriman, Chris Pedersen, Director of Research, and Daryl Bahls, Director of Analytics with The Merriman Financial Education Foundation. It is a follow-up to Paul's webinar, “Which Is The Best 1-,2-, 3- and 4 Fund Strategy?” sponsored by the American Association of Individual Investors (AAII) on Sept. 23, 2020. At the end of that presentation, Paul was joined by Chris and Daryl to address questions for 30 minutes. As there were many more questions than time permitted answering, this podcast — also available as a video — continues to address those audience questions.

In this Q&A session, the three “conflict-free teachers” dive into these big topics:
• Equity asset class selection
• Comparing returns
• Dollar-cost averaging
• Sequence returns and risks in accumulation and distribution stages

Questions addressed include:
- Why don’t you include small and large growth in your recommendations?
- Gold and commodities: why not?
- What’s the value of adding international funds?
- Does it matter whether you use Vanguard or Fidelity Funds?
- Do you use Portfolio Visualizer to understand the factor weighing of your portfolio?
- How do your “Best in Class” ETFs, that duplicate DFA’s, compete with Vanguard?
- Which strategies are better when you consider tax implications of rebalancing?
Paul answers this last question briefly, citing from and recommending DIYers read “Your Complete Guide to a Successful and Secure Retirement” by Larry Swedroe and Kevin Grogan.

Click here to download the pdf presentation, with enormous thanks to Daryl Bahls, our Director of Analytics, for his insightful Tables.

Find links to the various tables and strategies mentioned at: https://paulmerriman.com/pauls-important-advice/