Teaching Generosity and Financial Wisdom: The Impact of Paul Merriman’s Education Series
As Bainbridge Community Foundation (BCF) celebrates its 25th anniversary, we’re taking time to reflect on the programs that have grown over the years. One of the most impactful is the Financial Education Series, which for over a decade has helped people across Bainbridge Island and beyond learn how to make informed and confident financial decisions.
Financial literacy has the power to transform lives. Understanding how to save and invest, even in small amounts, can strengthen an individual’s financial security, improve retirement outcomes, and shape the future of the next generation. Few understand that better than Paul Merriman, President of The Merriman Financial Education Foundation and former BCF board member. Since retiring from a successful career in investment management, Paul has devoted his time to helping others learn how to make smart financial choices that align with their goals and values.
Most notably, there is a power around the compounded interest of investments for the future of our children, no 
matter what a family’s financial situation. As noted by Jim Hopper, Executive Director of BCF, "Paul’s presentations can truly be life-changing. As a person who was raised by a very hard-working single mother, I know that the concept of investing can take a back seat to basic necessities. But Paul’s style – and that of his colleagues that he brings to the presentations – debunks the myth that investing is about having a lot of money. It’s about maximizing what you have, giving yourself as much time as possible, and investing in the right tools to secure a strong financial future.”
That message matters, especially now. When BCF first launched the Financial Education Series just over a decade ago, the financial world looked very different. Today, the majority of states now require financial education in their high school curriculum, which is a remarkable leap toward preparing the next generation for financial independence. Access to diversified index funds is broader than ever, index funds are accessible to virtually all investors, and more people can invest through tax-advantaged or tax-efficient accounts than ever before. The market is friendlier than ever with more investor-centric advantages, empowering individuals to take control of their own financial journeys.
But not all developments have been positive. Over the past decade, the internet has also brought an explosion of self-proclaimed “financial gurus,” many of whom profit from biased advice. Paid endorsements, speculative investing, and risky trends, such as cryptocurrencies or sports betting, can lead young investors astray. As Paul explains, “Emotions are such a big part of the decision-making process, and there is more manipulation of investors’ emotions than ever before.” Part of being financially literate is learning to distinguish between trustworthy education and a sales pitch disguised as advice.
Even as technology evolves, Paul remains optimistic about the potential of artificial intelligence as a teaching tool if used wisely. “I’m a great believer in AI, but sometimes it hallucinates!” Paul joked. “It can use unreliable resources to make recommendations. The key is knowing how to ask it the right questions.” His advice is to name credible experts when seeking financial guidance online, name credible experts—such as the speakers of this year’s 2026 Financial Education Series—to ensure information comes from reliable sources. None of the speakers in the upcoming BCF Financial Education Series seek financial gain in giving advice, and each is a respected educator, researcher, or former advisor with deep expertise as well as a passion for teaching.
For Paul, the Financial Education Series is deeply personal. It is a way to give back to two communities that matter the most to him—his Bainbridge Island friends and neighbors, and the multi-generational families who will benefit from better financial decisions for decades to come. He believes that strengthening community begins with both generosity and education, and that each supports the other.
“Investing in the institutions that keep us moving forward is critical to the health of a community,” he says. Supporting local organizations and teaching financial literacy are, in his view, investments that yield returns far beyond the individual, and benefits families, neighbors, and future generations alike.
Please join us for this year’s programs, where leading voices in the field—brought together by Paul Merriman and Bainbridge Community Foundation—will explore the essentials of smart investing, charitable giving, and lifelong financial wellbeing.
Four Truth Tellers: Conversations with Some of the Most Trusted Voices in Personal Finance
Each year the Bainbridge Community Foundation and The Merriman Financial Education Foundation host a Financial Literacy Series designed to bring thoughtful, evidence-based financial education to our community. The goal is to give personal investors access to clear thinking from people who have devoted their careers to helping others make better financial decisions.
This year’s series features four individuals who are amongst the most important “truth tellers” in the world of personal finance. Each has spent decades studying the financial markets, writing books, educating investors, and challenging the myths that too often lead people astray.
What they share is a commitment to evidence, integrity, and the belief that financial knowledge should empower ordinary investors.
Over four evenings we will explore investing, taxes, retirement planning, and the history of markets with four of the most respected educators in the field.
Upcoming Events: 2026 Financial Education Series
My Favorite 12 Vanguard Funds for Retirees: 2026 Update
Paul Merriman
Thursday, April 2 from 9-11AM
Bainbridge Island Senior Community Center – Dining Room
Paul Merriman has spent his career helping investors understand how to make their money work smarter in retirement. In this live presentation, Paul will share practical strategies for retirees to get the most from their investments, focusing on the advantages of using Vanguard funds for cash management, equities, balanced portfolios, and bonds.
He’ll also discuss one of the most powerful ideas in retirement planning, which is how to “buy a pension for life” and potentially earn more than 7% a year—much of it tax-free.
This talk is an update of a 2020 presentation originally given on Zoom to a small audience of 12. That same presentation went on to reach more than 140,000 viewers on YouTube, proving that clear, evidence-based guidance can truly change financial futures.
Evidence Over Opinion
Larry Swedroe
Thursday, April 9 from 4:30-6PM via Zoom
Larry Swedroe has spent decades translating academic research into practical investment advice. As the author of numerous books on evidence-based investing, Larry has helped investors understand how risk, diversification, and disciplined strategy can improve long-term outcomes.
Larry’s approach is refreshingly direct, which is to ignore speculation, focus on the evidence, and build portfolios designed to capture the returns markets offer rather than trying to outguess them.
For investors seeking clarity in a world filled with opinions, Larry’s work is a reminder that the most reliable guide is often the research itself.
Making Retirement Work in Real Life
Christine Benz
Thursday, April 16 from 4:30-6PM via Zoom
Christine Benz, director of personal finance and retirement planning at Morningstar, has spent her careerhelping investors translate financial theory into real-life retirement decisions.
Through her books, interviews, and decades of writing, Christine has become one of the most trusted voices in retirement planning. Her work focuses on the practical questions retirees face: How should a portfolio be structured for income? How do we balance safety and growth? And how can retirees manage spending in uncertain markets?
Christine brings a rare blend of analytical rigor and empathy for the real challenges families face as they transition from saving to spending.
Keeping More of What You Earn
Mike Piper
Tuesday, April 21 from 4:30-6PM via Zoom
RSVP HERE
Mike Piper is known for his ability to explain some of the most complex financial topics in remarkably simpleterms. His books and educational resources on taxes, Social Security, and retirement income planning have helped thousands of investors avoid costly mistakes.
Mike’s work focuses on something many investors overlook, which is the impact of taxes and government programs on retirement income. Understanding how these systems work can often make the difference between a good retirement plan and a great one.
His writing proves that clarity is one of the most valuable gifts a financial educator can offer.
Learning from the History of Markets
Bill Bernstein
Tuesday, April 28 from 4:30-6PM via Zoom
Dr. Bill Bernstein is a retired neurologist and a retired financial advisor and historian, and he brings a rare long-term perspective to the discussion of investing. His landmark book The Four Pillars of Investing helped thousands of investors understand that successful investing rests on four foundations, which are theory, history, psychology, and business.
Bill has a remarkable ability to step back and ask the bigger questions: What have markets taught us over centuries? Why do investors repeatedly make the same mistakes? And what simple principles have consistently led to long-term success?
His perspective reminds us that markets change, but human behavior often does not.
