It is my good fortune to have Wes Crill, PhD as a guest on the podcast today. Wes is a senior investment director and Vice President with Dimensional Fund Advisors. Prior to joining Dimensional, he was a PhD student studying materials science engineering at North Carolina State. His research focused on modeling engineering processes at a scale of 1 billionth the size of a human hair. In today's podcast we discuss the difference between investing and gambling. The benefits of global diversification. Some of the nuances associated with only investing in the S&P 500 index. We discuss the life cycle theory of finance, should you buys gold, the reconstitution effect of index funds, the importance of having a financial plan, mutual funds vs ETF's, Why not all small cap investing is the same among fund providers. We discuss the science of investing and the pursuit of higher expected returns. The Retirement Budget Calculator is an intuitive tool that promises ease and accuracy. However, like any tool, user error could potentially lead to costly mistakes. To avoid this, let the experienced advisors at Parker Financial LLC guide you. When you hire our team, we offer a comprehensive review of your current investments, taxes, and the data in the Retirement Budget Calculator. We will ensure your plan's completeness and accuracy, helping you create an investment strategy, assist with tax planning, and monitor your plan to maximize your retirement benefits. At Parker Financial we offer a well-crafted retirement investment strategy, deeply rooted in academic data and financial science which can be the key to a prosperous retirement. Don't leave your future to chance. Take the first step towards a sound retirement. Schedule your complimentary discovery session now by visiting Parker-Financial.net let us help you make the most of your retirement years.