Paul Merriman's Financial Education Bootcamp is a comprehensive, free educational series designed to help investors—especially do-it-yourselfers—make informed, long-term financial decisions. Offered through the Merriman Financial Education Foundation, the Bootcamp combines podcasts, videos, articles, and downloadable tables to guide individuals through key investment strategies and concepts.

Topics Covered in the Bootcamp

  1. Stocks vs. Bonds
    This foundational segment compares the long-term growth potential of stocks with the short-term stability of bonds, using historical data from 1928 to 2024. It includes updated return tables and "quilt charts" to illustrate performance patterns.
  2. The Ultimate Buy and Hold Portfolio
    Merriman advocates for a diversified portfolio across 10 equity asset classes, aiming to outperform the S&P 500 over time. The Bootcamp provides detailed allocation models with both 50/50 and 70/30 U.S./International splits.
  3. Sound Investing Portfolios
    This segment introduces simplified portfolios tailored to different investor profiles, emphasizing diversification and long-term performance. It includes detailed tables and performance comparisons.
  4. Fine-Tuning Your Asset Allocation
    This module explores how varying allocations between stocks and bonds affect risk and return, helping investors align their portfolios with their risk tolerance and investment goals.
  5. Fixed Contributions
    Focused on the accumulation phase, this section guides investors on consistent investing strategies, including how much to save and how to allocate contributions over time.
  6. Fixed Distributions
    This part addresses the decumulation phase, discussing strategies for withdrawing a fixed percentage of retirement savings annually, adjusted for inflation.
  7. Flexible Distributions
    Here, Merriman explores variable withdrawal strategies based on portfolio performance, offering flexibility for retirees who can adjust their spending.
  8. Bootcamp #8- 2 Funds for Life 2024 Update
    Developed by Chris Pedersen, this strategy simplifies investing by combining a target-date fund with a small-cap value fund, aiming for diversification and ease of management.
  9. Best-in-Class ETF Recommendations
    This segment provides updated ETF selections across various asset classes, focusing on factors like cost, performance, and diversification.

Supporting Tools and Resources

The Bootcamp offers extensive downloadable tables and charts, including:

  • Historical Return Tables: Comparing asset class performances over different time frames.
  • Quilt Charts: Visual representations of annual returns across asset classes
  • Fine-Tuning Tables: Analyzing the impact of different asset allocations on portfolio performance.
  • Distribution Tables: Modeling various withdrawal strategies during retirement.
  • ETF Selection Guides: Offering curated lists of recommended ETFs based on specific criteria.

Who Should Use the Bootcamp?

The Bootcamp is ideal for:

  • New Investors 
  • DIY Investors 
  • Pre-Retirees and Retirees
  • Financial Educators