Uploaded February 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Welcome to the Bootcamp Series. In “Bootcamp #2 – The Ultimate Buy and Hold Portfolio 2025 Update,” Paul Merriman tackles essential long-term investing decisions. He guides investors through key choices such as balancing stocks and bonds, selecting between individual stocks and mutual funds, and deciding between active and passive management. Merriman emphasizes the importance of diversifying across various equity asset classes, demonstrating how gradual portfolio adjustments can enhance returns with minimal added risk.
The episode explores the effects of incorporating asset classes like small cap value, REITs, international stocks, and emerging markets over time. Merriman compares traditional strategies such as the S&P 500 with his “Ultimate Buy and Hold” ten-fund approach, as well as more streamlined four- and two-fund portfolios. He offers practical insights on rebalancing, the historical performance of US and international equities, and applying investment theories to real-world situations.
Whether you’re reevaluating your retirement portfolio or just beginning your investment journey, this episode provides clear, evidence-based strategies to help you make informed decisions and build lasting wealth.
Chapters:
00:00 - "Equity Diversification vs. S&P 500"
05:48 - Equity Portfolio Strategy Overview
07:49 - "Small Cap Value Investment Strategy"
14:18 - Four Fund Strategy Overview
16:42 - Diversified Portfolio Enhances Returns
19:53 - "Equity vs. Fixed Income Premiums"
24:07 - Optimizing Equity Asset Allocation
26:05 - "Ultimate Buy-and-Hold Strategy"
32:49 - Equities Focus with Bonds Later
36:26 - US Investment Strategy Insights
38:57 - Insight on Diversifying Investment Portfolios
Quotes:
“Combining different equity classes can enhance your returns without adding risk.”— Paul Merriman
“Diversification feels like magic—small changes over time grow into millions.”— Paul Merriman
“Building the right portfolio is about confidently combining assets, not just picking stocks.”— Paul Merriman
Key Takeaways:
The Power of Diversification
Small Steps, Big Impact
The Magic of Asset Classes
Risk Without the Rollercoaster
Less Can Be More
Annual, Not Monthly, Rebalancing
U.S. vs. International
Resources for Deeper Learning
No Guarantees, Only Educated Choice
Connect with Paul Merriman:
Website: paulmerriman.com
Email: paul@paulmerriman.com
This presentation makes the case for diversifying a portfolio using multiple equity asset classes. Paul uses 4 set of tables to make his case:
Table A1a: Ultimate Buy & Hold Equity Portfolio (50% US/50% Int'l) irp.cdn-website.com/6b78c197/files/uploaded/Table_A1a-UBH-50-50.pdf
Table A2a: Alternative Equity Portfolio Tables (50% US/50% Int'l) irp.cdn-website.com/6b78c197/files/uploaded/Table_A2a-_Alternative_Equity_Portfolio_Tables-50-50.pdf
Table A1b: Ultimate Buy & Hold Equity Portfolio (70% US/30% Int'l) irp.cdn-website.com/6b78c197/files/uploaded/Table_A1b-_Ultimate_Buy_-_Hold_Equity_Portfolio-70-30.pdf
Table A-2b: Alternative Equity Portfolio Tables (70% US/30% Int'l) irp.cdn-website.com/6b78c197/files/uploaded/A2b-Alternate-Equity-Portfolios-70-30-46d9a4a9.pdf
Paul also mentions the recent video/podcast that addresses the Sound Investing Portfolios. youtube.com/watch?v=XGv0ZdZ8adk
Welcome to the Bootcamp Series. In “Bootcamp #2 – The Ultimate Buy and Hold Portfolio 2025 Update,” Paul Merriman tackles essential long-term investing decisions. He guides investors through key choices such as balancing stocks and bonds, selecting between individual stocks and mutual funds, and deciding between active and passive management. Merriman emphasizes the importance of diversifying across various equity asset classes, demonstrating how gradual portfolio adjustments can enhance returns with minimal added risk.
The episode explores the effects of incorporating asset classes like small cap value, REITs, international stocks, and emerging markets over time. Merriman compares traditional strategies such as the S&P 500 with his “Ultimate Buy and Hold” ten-fund approach, as well as more streamlined four- and two-fund portfolios. He offers practical insights on rebalancing, the historical performance of US and international equities, and applying investment theories to real-world situations.
Whether you’re reevaluating your retirement portfolio or just beginning your investment journey, this episode provides clear, evidence-based strategies to help you make informed decisions and build lasting wealth.
Chapters:
00:00 - "Equity Diversification vs. S&P 500"
05:48 - Equity Portfolio Strategy Overview
07:49 - "Small Cap Value Investment Strategy"
14:18 - Four Fund Strategy Overview
16:42 - Diversified Portfolio Enhances Returns
19:53 - "Equity vs. Fixed Income Premiums"
24:07 - Optimizing Equity Asset Allocation
26:05 - "Ultimate Buy-and-Hold Strategy"
32:49 - Equities Focus with Bonds Later
36:26 - US Investment Strategy Insights
38:57 - Insight on Diversifying Investment Portfolios
Quotes:
“Combining different equity classes can enhance your returns without adding risk.”— Paul Merriman
“Diversification feels like magic—small changes over time grow into millions.”— Paul Merriman
“Building the right portfolio is about confidently combining assets, not just picking stocks.”— Paul Merriman
Key Takeaways:
The Power of Diversification
Small Steps, Big Impact
The Magic of Asset Classes
Risk Without the Rollercoaster
Less Can Be More
Annual, Not Monthly, Rebalancing
U.S. vs. International
Resources for Deeper Learning
No Guarantees, Only Educated Choice
Connect with Paul Merriman:
Website: paulmerriman.com
Email: paul@paulmerriman.com
This presentation makes the case for diversifying a portfolio using multiple equity asset classes. Paul uses 4 set of tables to make his case:
Table A1a: Ultimate Buy & Hold Equity Portfolio (50% US/50% Int'l) irp.cdn-website.com/6b78c197/files/uploaded/Table_A1a-UBH-50-50.pdf
Table A2a: Alternative Equity Portfolio Tables (50% US/50% Int'l) irp.cdn-website.com/6b78c197/files/uploaded/Table_A2a-_Alternative_Equity_Portfolio_Tables-50-50.pdf
Table A1b: Ultimate Buy & Hold Equity Portfolio (70% US/30% Int'l) irp.cdn-website.com/6b78c197/files/uploaded/Table_A1b-_Ultimate_Buy_-_Hold_Equity_Portfolio-70-30.pdf
Table A-2b: Alternative Equity Portfolio Tables (70% US/30% Int'l) irp.cdn-website.com/6b78c197/files/uploaded/A2b-Alternate-Equity-Portfolios-70-30-46d9a4a9.pdf
Paul also mentions the recent video/podcast that addresses the Sound Investing Portfolios. youtube.com/watch?v=XGv0ZdZ8adk
