The Investor Coaching Show with Paul Winkler

Pundit Gives “13 Funds To Own in 2025.” How Did He Do?

Paul and Jim talk about a pundit who told investors which funds to own in 2025, and those funds had a return of over 14%. Paul admits that most investors who saw this increase in their portfolio would probably think they did pretty well last year. The problem is that without benchmarking, they wouldn’t realize that the funds did worse than the S&P 500 and underperformed the market's leading sector by 35%. Listen along as these advisors break down what is wrong with these investments and why benchmarking is the only way to know how your investments are doing. 

 

Want to cut through the myths about retirement income and learn evidence-based strategies backed by over a century of data? Download our free Retirement Income Guide now at paulwinkler.com/relax and take the stress out of planning your retirement.

Robinhood Found the Best Way To Make Money on You: Greed and Dopamine Addiction

Every investment company is working to sell you on the idea that they can help you build wealth through cutting-edge technology and financial expertise, but the reality is that many of these companies, like Robinhood, are making money off you through activating your emotions and trying to cultivate a dopamine addiction around the gamification of gambling. Listen along as Paul and Jim talk about some of the strategies Robinhood uses to mislead investors and take your money while claiming to help you earn big bucks. Later in the episode, Paul brings up a couple who moved to Ecuador and are living off of their social security benefits and discusses why this kind of behaviour may be enticing for people who didn’t make a plan, but could actually be quite dangerous.  

 

Want to cut through the myths about retirement income and learn evidence-based strategies backed by over a century of data? Download our free Retirement Income Guide now at paulwinkler.com/relax and take the stress out of planning your retirement.

Properly Preparing to Pass Your Finances to Your Loved Ones

No one likes to think about the day when they will no longer be here and their spouse or children will have to take on more responsibility in managing the family's finances. Today, Paul brings an article about the different approaches people take to preparing important information — such as your primary doctor, accountant, or attorney, as well as passwords and automated payments — as well as retirement accounts and their management. Listen along as Paul shares about PWI’s “love letter,” a document template that will help your family transition after you’re gone without adding stress to an already difficult time. Later in the episode, Tesla is betting their future on a completely automated workforce, but we still don't have the 20-hour workweek we were promised a few decades ago.

 

Want to cut through the myths about retirement income and learn evidence-based strategies backed by over a century of data? Download our free Retirement Income Guide now at paulwinkler.com/relax and take the stress out of planning your retirement.

Big News out of Venezuela. What Does It Mean for Your Investments?

Paul talks about the news of America's capture of the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, and how this will lead to uneducated investors making one of the most painful money mistakes. Listen along as Paul talks about why responding to the news with either fear or greed comes from the basic misconception that investing is really just gambling or that knowing what will happen in the future gives you an edge in investing. Paul dispels these investing myths and encourages you to stay the course. Later in the episode, Paul shares a market prediction from Fidelity about 2025 that could have hurt your portfolio had you listened to one of the largest investment managers in the world. 

Want to cut through the myths about retirement income and learn evidence-based strategies backed by over a century of data? Download our free Retirement Income Guide now at paulwinkler.com/relax and take the stress out of planning your retirement.

Most Investors Fail the Diversification Test

Today, Paul shares some research that shows over 80% of investors near retirement have portfolios that lack diversification and that most investors equate large U.S. companies and cash with safety. The problem is that portfolios like these can be very difficult to take an income from and leave you vulnerable to market fluctuations. Listen along as Paul explains why a financial advisor can help teach the academic principles behind building a portfolio and why most fund companies don’t even sell funds that help investors make sure they are capturing market returns and minimizing risk. 

 

Want to cut through the myths about retirement income and learn evidence-based strategies backed by over a century of data? Download our free Retirement Income Guide now at paulwinkler.com/relax and take the stress out of planning your retirement.

Don’t Go Into 2026 Aimlessly. SMART Goals Could Help You in the New Year.

A new year provides a new opportunity to change your life for the better by reflecting and setting new goals. Today, Paul talks about why understanding yourself helps you actually reach your goals, instead of setting them and getting stuck in the same old patterns. Listen along to hear how you can work with your brain to overcome old patterns and have a better year in 2026. Later in the episode, Paul shares why sharing your goals with someone you trust can open new doors, bring meaningful insight, and increase your chances of success in the new year.

 

Want to cut through the myths about retirement income and learn evidence-based strategies backed by over a century of data? Download our free Retirement Income Guide now at paulwinkler.com/relax and take the stress out of planning your retirement.

Crypto Investors Got What They Wanted in 2025, but Prices Keep Dropping

Last year should have been a great year for crypto investors. The digital assets received favorable treatment from a pro-crypto government, and the financial industry plugged the investment at every turn. Unfortunately, that didn’t make a positive difference in market prices. Listen along as Paul shares why this year brought more losses for people who have been swept up in the crypto craze and why it doesn’t look like the currencies will become better investments anytime soon. Later in the episode, Paul and Nik talk about a future of driverless cars and why changes in technology often lead to fear or greed. 

Want to cut through the myths about retirement income and learn evidence-based strategies backed by over a century of data? Download our free Retirement Income Guide now at paulwinkler.com/relax and take the stress out of planning your retirement.

The People Managing Your 401(k) Are Just Making It Up As They Go Along

Today, Paul explains that fund companies that offer your 401(k) plans are choosing investments that seem safe and popular. These low-cost funds focus heavily on large U.S. companies and keep your money out of the highest-performing markets of 2025. Paul explains how these fund companies have ditched academic research, forcing them to make it up as they go along. Later in the episode, Paul discusses the disillusionment of the youngest generation of investors and what might lead them to find purpose and success in their work and investing. 

 

Want to cut through the myths about retirement income and learn evidence-based strategies backed by over a century of data? Download our free Retirement Income Guide now at paulwinkler.com/relax and take the stress out of planning your retirement.

A New Offering in 401(k)s That Will Hurt Your Retirement

This year, private company funds made their way into 401(k) plans around the country. While Paul doesn’t think these funds adequately pay for your risk, there is another problem that makes these products even worse. Listen along as Paul and Evan explain why many investors will get sucked into a product where companies don’t have to disclose important information about their finances, which public companies are required to disclose. 

 

Want to cut through the myths about retirement income and learn evidence-based strategies backed by over a century of data? Download our free Retirement Income Guide now at paulwinkler.com/relax and take the stress out of planning your retirement.

Most People Would Admit It’s Better To Be Happy Than Wealthy. How Do You Do It?

Money is a tool to help you express what is most meaningful to you. People who have a good relationship with money typically have a deep sense of purpose. Today, Paul and Evan have a conversation about how younger Americans report feeling a lower sense of purpose, how to get on the right track about what’s most important to you, and how you can use money to help you live a meaningful life.

Want to cut through the myths about retirement income and learn evidence-based strategies backed by over a century of data? Download our free Retirement Income Guide now at paulwinkler.com/relax and take the stress out of planning your retirement.