Small investing decisions can have a big impact over time. In this four-part series, investing educator Paul Merriman explores how starting early, keeping costs low, diversifying wisely, and staying the course can shape an investor’s financial future. Check out the episodes to get a framework to help students make informed investing decisions.

The Math & History Behind Investing

Can starting five years earlier really make a difference? Paul uses investing math and history to show how small decisions can compound over a lifetime. He explains how understanding the numbers can motivate young investors to invest, whether they spend less or start earlier, and how learning market history can give them the confidence to stay invested.

Reasons to Invest in Index Funds

Sometimes, doing less with your investments can leave you with more. Paul makes the case for index funds, showing how taxes, fees, and deliberate trading can erode long-term returns. He also challenges common misconceptions about passive investing and explains why index investing involves more than simply owning the S&P 500.

The Inside Story About Diversification

Diversification means more than simply holding a lot of stocks. Paul explores how spreading investments across different asset classes can help investors manage risk without predicting which part of the market will perform best next. He shares classroom-friendly tools, such as the “quilt chart,” to show why a diversified portfolio won’t always be the top performer and why it doesn’t need to be.

The $5 Million Payoff

What is financial literacy worth over a lifetime? Paul brings together the lessons from the previous segments to show how starting early, spending less, diversifying, and staying invested can create a portfolio worth millions over time. The greatest payoff isn’t just a larger portfolio; it’s greater security, flexibility, and freedom later in life.

About the Author

Zach Mann

Zach recently graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a degree in Sociology. Zach is a Communications Intern for NGPF, assisting with content creation for NGPF's various platforms. He enjoys contributing to communications that support a mission with a tangible impact.