320 - Retirement Isn’t Short-Term: Why Your Money Needs to Last Decades
More Than Commas
In this episode of More Than Commas, Paul and Cory dive deep into what it really takes to build sustainable, guaranteed income for life. They challenge the traditional advice to go "more conservative" in retirement, exposing why longevity risk—not market volatility—is the greatest threat to your financial future. Using a real-world $10 million retirement example, they walk through how combining lifetime income annuities with smart equity investing can actually create more freedom, flexibility, and opportunities for generosity later in life. Whether you're planning to retire soon or decades...
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319 - From Great Depression to Today: What Market Trends Don’t Tell You
More Than Commas
In this episode of More Than Commas, Paul and Cory dive into a popular article's alarming claims about bonds, dissecting the idea of a 36-year bond bear market and the so-called "crushing" losses investors faced. Using powerful tools from Dimensional Fund Advisors like the Matrix Book and ReturnsWeb, they fact-check historical data from 1945 to 1981 and the Great Depression to reveal what really happened. Spoiler alert: the reality is far less dire than the headlines suggest. We also break down why diversified portfolios, proper rebalancing, and thoughtful financial planning still outperform...
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318 - White Coat Investor Disagrees with Ernst & Young (Part 4)
More Than Commas
In this final installment of our four-part deep dive, we conclude our review of White Coat Investor’s critique of the Ernst & Young whitepaper on insurance products. If you’ve stuck with us from Episode 315 through now, you know this has been a winding journey through annuities, whole life policies, investment assumptions—and plenty of eyebrow-raising takes. Today, we wrap it all up with our closing thoughts on the White Coat Investor review. We also zoom out to look at the big picture: What’s really at stake when professionals argue about insurance-backed retirement strategies?...
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317 – White Coat Investor Disagrees with Ernst & Young (Part 3)
More Than Commas
In Part 3 of our deep dive into White Coat Investor Disagrees with Ernst & Young, we tackle some of the strangest assumptions in the analysis. We break down how whole life policies are managed (or mismanaged), questionable projections of policy performance, and bizarre reinvestment strategies for annuity proceeds. Plus, we explore the odd decision to replace fixed-income investments solely with insurance products, the implications of paying back a whole life policy, and a 70-year time horizon that raises more questions than it answers. Tune in as we continue to expose the flaws in this...
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316 - White Coat Investor Disagrees with Ernst & Young (Part 2)
More Than Commas
In Episode 316 of More Than Commas, we continue our deep dive into White Coat Investor’s critique of the Ernst & Young Insurance Study. This time, we break down seven more questionable assumptions, from high advisory fees to mysterious “black box” insurance products. Are these valid criticisms, or is there more to the story? Tune in as we separate sound financial analysis from misleading narratives. -- This Material is Intended for General Public Use. By providing this material, we are not undertaking to provide investment advice for any specific individual or situation...
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315 - White Coat Investor Disagrees with Ernst & Young (Part 1)
More Than Commas
In Episode 315 of More Than Commas, we take a deep dive into White Coat Investor's critique of the Ernst & Young Insurance Products in Retirement Study. While WCI raises some valid concerns, we challenge whether their approach to financial products is always as objective as they claim. Are whole life insurance and annuities really as bad as they suggest? Or is there room for nuance? Tune in as we break down the arguments, separate fact from opinion, and help you think critically about financial critiques. -- This Material is Intended for General Public Use. By providing this...
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314 - Ernst & Young’s Guide to Life Insurance & Annuities
More Than Commas
In this episode of More than Commas, we take a deep dive into Ernst & Young’s latest white paper on integrating life insurance and annuities into a financial plan. With a projected $240 trillion retirement savings gap by 2030, EY’s research highlights how strategies beyond traditional investments—such as permanent life insurance and deferred income annuities—can enhance income stability and legacy value. We break down the key takeaways from their analysis and what it means for your retirement planning. Tune in to learn how a smarter, more balanced approach could optimize your...
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313 - Why We Ignore a Powerful Retirement Tool
More Than Commas
In this episode of More Than Commas, we tackle the Annuity Puzzle—why retirees often ignore one of the most recommended financial tools: lifetime income annuities. Cory discusses expert insights from economists like Moshe Milevsky, William Sharpe, and Olivia Mitchell, uncovering the behavioral biases, marketing flaws, and misconceptions that keep people from embracing annuities. We explore their benefits, including guaranteed income and longevity protection, while addressing concerns about fees, fairness, and industry reputation. Tune in to rethink annuities as an essential retirement income...
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312 - Why Active Management Doesn’t Work
More Than Commas
Active asset managers promise market-beating returns, but the data tells a different story. In this episode of More than Commas, Cory explores why 90% of actively managed funds underperform over time and how patience, simplicity, and low-cost investing outperform stock-picking strategies. Through stories of legendary investors like Warren Buffett and everyday savers like Ronald Read, we uncover the power of long-term investing. Plus, we dive into the harsh realities of day trading and why even the best managers struggle to sustain success. Tune in to learn why the best strategy isn’t about...
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311 - Disciplined Investing
More Than Commas
In episode 311, Paul explains that disciplined investing is the key to long-term financial success. He warns against comparing your diversified portfolio to hot asset classes, emphasizing that diversification and systematic rebalancing—selling high and buying low—are essential for managing market volatility and avoiding impulsive decisions. Paul debunks the myth of perfect market timing and stresses the importance of sticking to a steady, long-term strategy, all while offering actionable insights on building a resilient financial future and a teaser for the next episode on why even top...
info_outlineActive asset managers promise market-beating returns, but the data tells a different story. In this episode of More than Commas, Cory explores why 90% of actively managed funds underperform over time and how patience, simplicity, and low-cost investing outperform stock-picking strategies. Through stories of legendary investors like Warren Buffett and everyday savers like Ronald Read, we uncover the power of long-term investing. Plus, we dive into the harsh realities of day trading and why even the best managers struggle to sustain success. Tune in to learn why the best strategy isn’t about working harder—it’s about staying the course.
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This Material is Intended for General Public Use. By providing this material, we are not undertaking to provide investment advice for any specific individual or situation or to otherwise act in a fiduciary capacity. Please contact one of our financial professionals for guidance and information specific to your individual situation. Sound Financial LLC dba Sound Financial Group is a registered investment adviser. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and, unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. Insurance products and services are offered and sold through Sound Financial LLC dba Sound Financial Group and individually licensed and appointed agents in all appropriate jurisdictions. This podcast is meant for general informational purposes and is not to be construed as tax, legal, or investment advice. You should consult a financial professional regarding your individual situation. Guest speakers are not affiliated with Sound Financial LLC dba Sound Financial Group unless otherwise stated, and their opinions are their own. Opinions, estimates, forecasts, and statements of financial market trends are based on current market conditions and are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.