The Investor Coaching Show with Paul Winkler

Another New Investing Book That Won’t Get You the Results You Want

Paul finds a segment on CNBC that is pushing a new investment book called “How to Make Money in Any Market.” The host and author seem really into the topic of helping the average investor make wise decisions — until you start to hear what some of the advice is. Listen along to find out why the advice may seem nice when you’re watching television, but the author is more likely to make money selling the book than you are by doing what it says. 

 

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 Hidden Costs of Trying To Win Big With Stocks

Today, Paul and Jim talk about a WSJ article that explains how companies are charging 15–20% annual fees to customers who are trying to play the market like a slot machine. Listen along as Paul shares the slippery slope from being afraid of the future, wanting to get ahead, and then trusting the past performance of a fund or manager to try to play catch-up. Later in the episode, Paul talks about how QCDs are a great opportunity to give back to your community. 

 

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.

Popular Trends from 2025 in Financial Planning

Jim brings the results of a survey of financial planners on what they believe is most important for their clients in 2025. The results are absolutely underwhelming. Listen along as Paul and Jim process how the industry got to this state where half of the advisors don't even believe that a product really needs to be suitable for you if it has other qualities. Later in the episode, “finfluencers” (financial influencers) have taken over the internet. Their job is to look smart and help companies sell products by gaining your trust. 

 

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.

Send This to Someone Who Trusts Big Firms or Their Job To Get It Right

The financial industry is pretty broken. All the large firms have found ways to provide you with the cheapest and least services possible without taking any responsibility. They have also learned how to present flashy strategies, product pitches, and market news to keep you distracted. Today, Paul and Jim give you an insider's look at the industry and warn you that not only have they fooled investors, but they’ve always fooled your employers.

 

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.

AI Is an Innovation. Here’s Why Companies Love It and What It Could Mean for Your Job

Today, Paul and Evan discuss a common fear among today’s employees: Will AI replace my job? Listen along to hear why so many companies are adopting this innovation, how it could affect your job, and why, as an investor, you should be optimistic about how this could impact markets going forward. Later in the episode, Paul and Evan remember the late John Clements, a prominent British financial writer for The Wall Street Journal who passed away last month.

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.

Why Annuity Payouts Get Worse Every Year

Evan and Paul talk about some research Paul put together around an average annuity payout. Initially, the payout looks okay — until you factor in inflation. Listen along as these two advisors explain why giving your retirement savings to an insurance company may look great now, but it will leave you with a fraction of the purchasing power in the future. 

 

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.

Demand for Gold Is up Amid Uncertainty. Educated Investors Won’t Take the Bait.

Gold is up 39% this year, largely due to the uncertainty in markets created by Trump's trade policy. The problem is that gold is just a commodity, and its value is based on what someone is willing to pay for it. Today, Paul and Evan discuss why gold's price rise is circumstantial and why educated investors still prefer diversification and buying and holding over buying something when it’s hot and hoping to get out before it goes down.

 

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.

How To Sell an Annuity in 10 Minutes

Annuities are still one of the most dangerous financial products when it comes to accumulating assets for your retirement years. They are insurance products with huge commissions and back-end surrender charges that trap your money in phantom accounts, leaving you stuck against inflation with no assets to give to future generations. However, they are confusing products, and you can make a lot of money selling them. Today, Paul shares a video he found on social media that will teach him “how to sell an annuity in 10 minutes.” Listen along as Paul encourages you to learn these sales tactics so you can spot them and avoid this common investing trap.

 

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.

Advisors Get Sucked Into Stock Picking Because They Don’t Have This Education

Paul remembers a big push in the ’90s by professors and economists, like Fama and French, to teach advisors why stock picking is hurtful to their clients and how to help people invest without opening them up to unnecessary risk. Today, Paul talks about some of these lessons, why stock picking is still so prevalent in the industry, and what you can look out for to avoid advisors like these. 

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.

Past Performance Is Driving Your Investing Decisions. You Need Another Option.

Paul talks about how what has happened in the last one, three, or five years heavily affects your investing decisions. Are stocks up this year? Maybe I should get in. Are interest rates high? Maybe it’s a good time to own bonds or CDs. Annuities even craft products that would have done well in the last 10 years and then sell them to people based on their track record. There is another way to invest that doesn’t keep you glued to how markets are doing right now or worried about the next bubble. Listen along as Paul shares an article about market bubbles and crashes and then explains why you don’t need to be able to predict them to be a successful investor.

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.