Talking Real Money - Investing Talk
1,474 episodes - English - Latest episode: 21 days ago - ★★★★★ - 113 ratings34-year financial talk radio veteran, Don McDonald and former host of Serious Money on PBS, Tom Cock, join forces to talk about real money issues. In each episode, they solve real money problems, dole out real investing (not speculating) advice, and really explain the financial issues that effect all of us. Plus, it's actually fun! Talking Real Money is a podcast designed to provide the real help we all need to enjoy a really great future. Call in with your questions anytime at 855-935-TALK (8255).
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Episodes
Self-Fulfilling Profits, See?
June 18, 2024 16:41 - 45 minutesIn this episode: 3:40 A Potential Problem with Some ETFs. 10:12 Understanding Standard Deviation in Investing 14:34 Holding a Diversified Portfolio 19:41 Comparing Avantis and Vanguard Funds 21:29 The Impact of Index Funds on the Market 26:19 Importance of Diversification in Investing 31:13 The Value of Target Date Funds 33:28 The Impact of Small and Value Companies 36:55 Housing Market Trends and Real Estate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Advisors Lie
June 17, 2024 18:48 - 32 minutesIn today's skeptical episode: 0:04 Introduction: The Importance of Trust in Finance 3:09 The Market's Trustworthiness: A Closer Look 5:29 Misconceptions About the Market: Zero-Sum Game 9:53 Addressing Market Manipulation and Trust Issues 13:42 Managing Emotional Responses to Market Fluctuations 17:04 Understanding the Long-Term Value of Market Investing 21:27 Analyzing High Beta and Exponential Tech Investments 23:46 Evaluating the Role of Financial Advisors 25:48 Dissecting Trust Co...
Don Taking Questions
June 14, 2024 21:17 - 24 minutesDon takes on more of your queries: 1:45 Listener Experience with Vanguard and Robinhood 5:23 Taking Advantage of Robinhood's Promotion 6:45 Vanguard's New Fees and the $100 Exit Fee 10:08 Annoyance Fees and Pricing Structures 11:47 Exploring Fidelity's Brokerage Link Option 15:01 Historical Perspective on Stock Market Participation 21:18 Invitation to Seek Free Financial Advice and Join the Road Trip Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Rethinking Retirement?
June 13, 2024 21:46 - 30 minutesIn this podcast: 0:04 Retirement Reflections 21:06 Stock Inclusion Dilemma 22:27 Managing Stock Movements 25:06 Value of Free Financial Help Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Where Ramsey's Wrong
June 12, 2024 19:53 - 46 minutesIn this episode: 0:04 The Problem with Dave Ramsey's mutual fund advice 5:14 Importance of Second Opinions in Investing 11:21 Retirement Income Strategy and Dividend Reinvestment 16:07 Creating Income in Retirement 21:00 Financial Advice and Misinformation 27:15 Overcoming "Hodgepodge-itis" in Investment Portfolios 31:26 Comparison of Actively Managed and Index Funds 36:57 Caller Plays Back Seat Quarterback Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Seven Serious "Sins"
June 11, 2024 21:46 - 46 minutesWhen it comes to money, we make a lot of investing mistakes. Today, we talk about: 3:30 The Seven Deadly Sins of Wealth Management 14:59 Seeking a Second Opinion 21:05 Not Making Cash the King & Letting Dollars Be Lazy 22:50 The Purpose of Risk in Investing 32:42 Investing as a Means, Not an End 37:24 Importance of Guidance in the Decumulation Phase 38:43 Stop Dreaming, Start Doing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Killer Premiums
June 10, 2024 20:55 - 31 minutesIn this episode, we discuss the high price of home and auto insurance: 0:04 Midwest Storms and Insurance Costs 1:48 Home and Auto Insurance Rate Increases 4:03 Reinsurance Companies and Rate Hikes 5:23 Factors Impacting Insurance Rates 7:34 Dealing with Scammers and Identity Theft 11:35 Saving Money on Insurance Policies 13:33 Importance of Financial Planning in Retirement 19:19 A Little Chat About Scammers 22:46 Rebalancing and Risk Tolerance in Roth Accounts Learn more about your ...
Friday is Question Day
June 07, 2024 20:39 - 27 minutesThis week's topics: 1:19 Company Stock Purchase Program Dilemma 4:43 Investing Strategies for a 24-Year-Old 7:06 Listener Input on IPOs and Conservative Fund Options 10:05 Retirement Planning with a Large Investment Portfolio 13:36 Investment Decision for a Late 30s Individual 16:06 Retirement Investment Planning for a 64-Year-Old 19:17 Strategy for Investing Proceeds from Property Sale Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Vast Hidden Wealth
June 06, 2024 21:12 - 26 minutesIn This Episode: 1:15 Inaccessible Home Equity 2:24 Tempting Yet Tricky Home Equity Options 3:31 Exploring New Financing Frontiers 4:01 The Evolution of Reverse Mortgages 5:07 Weighing the Home Equity Loan Dilemma 6:11 An Unconventional Option: Home Profit Sharing 7:11 Unpacking Home Profit Sharing Terms 8:45 Evaluating Alternative Financing Routes 9:21 Leveraging Home Equity Strategically 10:26 The Dangers of Early Mortgage Payoff 10:43 Knowledge is Key: Understanding Home Equity ...
The Dumb Dow Endures
June 05, 2024 18:45 - 46 minutesTopics in the episode: 2:02 The Dow Jones Industrial Average 5:23 Financial Second Opinions 10:35 Roth Conversions and Financial Planning 13:45 Trusting Financial Data 16:43 Financial Phone-In Questions 19:11 Vanguard Advisory Service Review 21:01 Managing Inherited IRAs 26:28 Diagnosis: Hodgepodge-itis 27:35 Importance of Financial Planning 33:09 Handling Unexpected Fees 37:59 Talking Real Money Road Trip Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What's Your Happy Price?
June 04, 2024 19:19 - 42 minutesToday we discuss: 1:00 Money and Happiness 5:31 Second Opinions 12:50 Microphone Woes 27:04 Hodgepodgeitis 37:04 Retirement Account Diversification Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Your Brain on Money
June 03, 2024 20:07 - 27 minutesHere's what in this episode: 1:02 Understanding the Psychology of Money 2:32 Rethinking Financial Advisor Terminology 3:27 Rise of Financial Therapy Certification 4:17 Impact of Money on Mental Health 7:17 Overcoming Financial Anxiety 10:58 Addressing Financial Concerns & Ideas 14:09 Tips for Managing Investment Emotions 19:27 The Purpose of Life Insurance 20:59 Adjusting Investment Allocation in 401k Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
New Questions Week
May 31, 2024 20:42 - 25 minutesIn this week's Friday Q&A: 1:52 ETF Purchasing Best Practices 2:53 Avoid Overthinking and Minutiae 5:37 Making Financial Decisions and Pension Options 7:51 Investing Strategy and Career Reset 11:24 Comfort in Financial Decisions 14:45 Long-Term Saving for Family 17:16 Importance of Financial Planning 18:53 Pension Drawing Decision Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Multi-Level Trading
May 30, 2024 21:55 - 46 minutesIn this episode we discuss a trading staregy combined with a multi-level marketing scheme MLMs in general. 5:27 Second Opinions and Financial Decisions 8:49 Learning and Correcting Mistakes 12:37 Multi-Level Marketing and Trading Strategies 21:04 Warren Buffett's Timeless Advice 25:13 Investigating Ron Blue Investments 32:49 Researching the National Electrical Annuity Plan 36:38 The Graceland Financial Mystery 39:57 Preparing for College and Paying for It Learn more about your ad...
More Investing Mistakes
May 29, 2024 20:39 - 44 minutesIn this episode, recorded on Saturday May 22: 0:04 Pre-Memorial Day Weekend Banter 4:00 Focus on Investing Mistakes with Christine Benz 4:54 Portfolio Building and Managing Mistakes 18:30 Being Patient vs. Hands-Off Investing 34:40 Discussing American Funds and Expense Ratios Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Don't Trust, Verify
May 28, 2024 20:59 - 29 minutesIn today's episode: 0:04 The Trust Issue 2:43 Custodians and Fiduciaries 3:12 Finding True Fiduciary Help 3:53 Fee-Only vs Fee-Based 5:43 Various Compensation Models 8:02 Understanding Terminology 10:52 Brokercheck.org Exploration 12:08 Where to Find Trusted Advisors 13:56 Vetting Financial Advisors 15:38 Insurance Companies and Investments 19:30 Dealing with Large Stock Gains 23:13 Dealing with Tax Implications 25:10 Upcoming RetireMeet East Event Learn more about your ad choice...
Memorial Day Q&A
May 24, 2024 20:55 - 29 minutesIn this episodes, Don answers listeners questions about: 3:15 Seeking a Fee-Only Fiduciary Advisor for Aging Parents 6:24 Uncovering Red Flags in Financial Advisor Disclosures 11:44 Evaluating the Dodge & Cox Income X Bond Fund 12:46 Importance of Reading Form ADVs for Investment Advisory Firms 18:17 The Aftermath of Removing Social Security 19:11 Understanding Mutual Fund Return Reports 21:24 Replacing Vanguard Bond Fund BND with Risky Alternatives Learn more about your ad choices. V...
Affinity Fraud
May 23, 2024 20:09 - 29 minutesIn this episode: 1:16 Affinity Fraud in the Military 3:54 Unveiling Investment Fraud in the Military 11:57 Building Trust in Financial Relationships 14:00 Maintaining Boundaries in Financial Relationships 19:33 Trusting Third-Party Sources for Investment Information 23:43 Retirement and Investment Strategies Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Value of Good Advice
May 22, 2024 21:01 - 45 minutesCan a fiduciary fee-only advisor make you more money, even after expenses. Vanguard says, "yes!" We talk about some of their findings and more: 3:53 Cost-Effective Implementation and Rebalancing 6:20 Financial Future and Advisor Second Opinions 7:16 Asset Location and Withdrawal Strategies 9:00 Hodgepodge-itis and Portfolio Simplification 11:57 The Vanguard Experience 14:30 The Importance of Seeking Advice Early 20:14 Backdoor Roth IRA Strategies 26:15 Hodgepodge-itis Treatment and ...
Roaring Kitty Returns!
May 21, 2024 20:13 - 46 minutesIn this episode: 0.54 America's Obsession with New Media and Gurus 1:55 The GameStop Saga Begins 2:43 Reddit's Influence on GameStop Stock 3:33 Lessons from the GameStop Rollercoaster 5:20 Seeking a Second Opinion in Investing 6:19 The Stupidity in Following Stock Recommendations 7:03 GameStop Stock: A Question of Valuation 8:30 The Evolution of the Gaming Industry 8:54 What to Learn from the GameStop Frenzy 9:49 Investing vs. Speculation 12:05 Vanguard's Fiduciary Advisors and Fin...
Money for Millennials
May 20, 2024 19:23 - 30 minutesWe don't often have guests, but we do, from time to time, invite some of the best minds in money management to join us. Author and financial educator, Dan Solin spends time with us this week to share some wisdom from his latest book, Wealthier: The Investing Field Guide for Millennials. We discuss buying a home versus renting, saving and investing for retirement, and the future of Social Security. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tom and Roxy Qs
May 17, 2024 20:44 - 22 minutesOn the week's question and answer session, Tom and Roxy take written questions from listeners about: Social Security spousal benefits. Moving Emergency Cash Short-Term Cash Options Portfolio Diversification AVGE vs. BND Allocation Real Estate Sales and Tax Planning Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Retirement Income Evolution
May 16, 2024 20:26 - 45 minutesWas retirement really better in thge past? Have 401k plans been a retirement income benefit or detriment? Might there be a better way to insure a secure retirement income? We also explore the difference in long-term returns between large-cap and small-cap value stocks. Plus, we hear from listeners: Why does the actual income from I-Bonds not match the stated rate? Can income from a court settlement from a stock in an IRA be transferred into the IRA? Is it better to take retirement income f...
They Need Complexity
May 15, 2024 21:56 - 46 minutesBeware of complex investments or those promising to provide higher returns using some financial sleight-of-hand. Higher returns always require some sort of tradeoff. There are no special systems to game the markets, long-term. Then, we hear from listeners: He stayed in bonds and lost money, should he stick with them now? How can current assets be grown to enough to support retirement needs? Does it make sense to buy a second home on the beach? How should a very conservative retiree invest...
Social Security Sick?
May 14, 2024 21:23 - 28 minutesMillions of people rely on Social Security for a large portion of their income, yet the system is running low on money and won't be able to meet future obligations without major changes. So, which is better, reducing benefits or raising taxes? Plus, we take listeners questions: What's the best way to reduce taxes on retirement plan distributions? What can be done to reduce hodgepodgery in a portfolio? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Accentuate the Positive
May 13, 2024 21:52 - 28 minutesIn the episode, instead of discussing all of the bad financial decisions we make, let's take time to acknowledge all of the good things we do with money. Plus, we take questions on: The possible negative impact that passive investing might have on the stock markets. The potential tax ramifications of a portfolio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Cue the Qs
May 10, 2024 21:35 - 26 minutesThe questions have started pouring in again. Thanks! Today... Using High-yielding CLOs Instead of Bonds. Adjusting Portfolio for Growth Maryland 529 Plan vs. Other Options Maximizing Growth for Grandchildren Understanding Rebalancing in a 401k Implementing a Three-Bucket Account Strategy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Will They Do What's Best?
May 09, 2024 19:36 - 28 minutesThe U.S. Labor Department is going to try again to hold some of those who provide advice on retirement assets to actually act in their clients' best interests. Will this new rule actually go into effect this time and who might it protect. Then we take your questions: What to we think of Keith Fitz-Gibbons investing advice? What's the best way to cover three years of expenses before collection Social Security? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Your Wealth Grew?
May 08, 2024 20:41 - 46 minutesAfter years of diligently saving and investing a your retirement plans, what should you be doing when your accounts have grown to sizable amounts? Plus, we share the reasons for a small cap and value portfolio tilt. Plus, we hear from several listeners who ask: Why don't we talk more about 529 ABLE plans? What do we think of a portfolio with 20-year Treasury bonds? After maxxing out retirement accounts, where should other money be invested? Why can't more people save and invest? Learn mo...
Magic Money Machine
May 07, 2024 21:14 - 48 minutesIs it a mutual fund? Is it an annuity? Can one investment met everyone's retirement needs? That's seems to be the claim of the complex BlackRock LifePath Paycheck funds. Plus, we talk about Warren Buffett's take on corporate taxes and how individuals could all end up paying no income taxes. We also discuss the workings of the "backdoor" Roth IRA. Then, listeners want to know: Nearing retirement is a fiduciary adviser needed and what should one cost? The name of the book Tom mentioned about ...
Gold is Not Investing
May 06, 2024 22:14 - 24 minutesGold has gotten hot again, but just because you can get a bar at Costco is it a decent investment? We look hack at the history and returns of gold over decades and longer. Plus, we take some listener questions: Where can information be found on a school districts's 403b plan? In what account order should money be withdrawn for a college education? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Queries and Responses
May 03, 2024 20:44 - 19 minutesOn this week's Friday Q&A: Does more money in emerging markets make sense? What should be done with an 401k now that Vanguard has sold their servicing? Are these two funds diversified enough? Is there any way to calculate future call option premiums? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Big Investing Factors
May 02, 2024 20:51 - 32 minutesThere aren't many ways to improve your odds while investing in stocks. So, why have investors like Warren Buffet been so successful and why do we belive in factor investing? Plus listeners want to know: Why do we suggest more expensive products from firms like Avantis and Dimensional? What are the differences between a 403b and a Roth IRA? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Strange Money Perspectives
May 01, 2024 21:23 - 46 minutesDon't be fooled by "money illusions." We are often confused about money math, particularly when it comes to the impacts of inflation. Our financial psycology can lead us to make bad decisions. The callers have questions about: Financial Planning for a Special Needs Family Member Estate Planning Strategies for Passing Wealth to Grandchildren Balancing Risk Tolerance with Retirement Savings Directing Inheritance to Grandchildren Understanding Indexed Annuities Learn more about your ad ch...
Are Bonds Bad?
April 30, 2024 19:52 - 47 minutesAfter bonds suffered a really bad year in 2022, many investors still hate them. Do all bonds deserve the recent bad reputations? Time for a fixed income reality check. We also discuss the bad advice given by most radio advisors. We also hear from listeners: Why do we dislike anuuities as investments? What do we think of the new DOL rule requiring all retirement rollover advice be held to the fiduciary standard? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
More Fiduciary Help?
April 29, 2024 22:30 - 29 minutesOnce again, the United States Depratment of Labor is trying to protect retirement investors against the lies told, and the high fees charged, by many providers of advoce for retirement pland rollovers and transfers. Will they succeed against Wall Street and Big Insurance? Plus, we take your questions: What's the best way to pay for a new roof? Why are my ETFs paying out taxable dividends? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Question (and Answer) Day
April 26, 2024 20:49 - 16 minutesThis Friday's Qs: How should an aggressive investor invest money that is not needed in retirement? Does a QLAC make sense as a toold to control long-term care expenses? Are there any tax ramications from moving from an expensive funds to ETFs in a qualified retirement account? Does his portfolio idea make sense for a lazy retirement investor? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Why Take Risk?
April 25, 2024 20:42 - 31 minutesWhat is the best investment strategy in a time of higher "safe" interest rates? For many, the tendency is to play it safer, but how might that work out in the long run? Plus, we answer questions: How much is Edward Jones charging for their investment services? How can an investor harvest tax losses? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Expensive Retirement Plans
April 24, 2024 20:52 - 42 minutesFar too many businesses offer their employees expensive retirement plans. You must know how much you're paying. Plus, many states are now allowing employees to set up automatic payroll deductions into their own IRAs. We hear from callers: What will interest rates do in the near future? What can be done with IRA distributions to reduce taxation? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Retirement Quiz
April 23, 2024 21:18 - 47 minutesThis seemingly simple retirement quiz stumped most who took it. How will you fare? Take the quiz with us. Plus, what can you do if you have a low interest rate bank savings account? Listeners want to know: How long will mom's retirement assets last? Is there any way to get money back from a federal long-term care policy? How can money in a retirement plan be accessed before 59-1/2 without penalties? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Returns Matter More
April 22, 2024 20:54 - 29 minutesOur friend, Mark Hebner from Index Fund Advisors, joins Tom and Don to talk about the most important number to investors, total return. The rise and fall of prices shouldn't be of much concern to investors, it's how much you make on your investments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
TGIQAF
April 19, 2024 21:16 - 18 minutesIn this week's Friday Q&A edition: How safe are investment in brokerage accounts? Why shouldn't someone tranfer an IRA to Robin Hood to collect a 3% bonus? What do we think of Fisher Investments "bucket" strategy? How should money be invested for the beneficiary of a special needs trust? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Small Index, Big Stocks
April 18, 2024 21:08 - 29 minutesOne of the problems with index funds is the fact that they slavishly follow the index. This means that for long periods they can own stocks that are way outside the indexes parameters. This is one argument for rules-basd funds. Then, listeners ask: Are we concerned about the decline in the number of publically-traded stocks? Is it okay to be 100% in stocks close to retirement? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Emergency Funds and More
April 17, 2024 21:04 - 45 minutesMost American's have saved enough for even a $400 emergency? Start there, and then it's time to work on retirement savings. Along the way have those tough financial conversations with your partner. Plus, Don goes on a rant about the financial services industry and it's lack of client care. We hear from callers: With a little help for a previous caller. What do we think of a particular brokerage firm? How can money be moved from a regular IRA in an annuity to a Roth? Is Empower providing g...
Should You Worry?
April 16, 2024 17:06 - 45 minutesWe recorded this episode as the Iranian attack on Israel was beginning. We discussed the impact of global events on your portfolio and how to invest during market turbulence. Then, we give you the chance to build your perfect economy with a quiz. We hear from some of you, too: Is a Fidelity advisor a fiduciary or not? Where should money for intermediate-term spending be invested? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A New Day of Q&A
April 15, 2024 17:50 - 24 minutesListeners love our question and and snswer episode, so here a special Monday Q&A featuring Tom and Roxyu Butner answer your written questions: Is a Total World Stock Market Index Fund Enough? Should You Pay Off a Low-Interest Mortgage Early? What do we think of the Geiten Clinger Withdrawal Strategy? Is Vanguard Advisor Services Worthwhile? What has happened to ESG Investing? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It's You and Don Day
April 12, 2024 20:28 - 16 minutesOn today's FridayQ we discuss: Robin Hood's recent offer of a 3% bonus on IRA rollovers. Avoiding a tax penalty of an inherited annuity. A listener's Talking Real Money Road Trip suggestion. The proper small cap portfolio allocation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Best? Be Wary.
April 11, 2024 20:53 - 30 minutesWe are innundated with articles featuring lists of the "best" investments. Are they really that good and should you invest in them? Plus, we hear from listeners: What's the difference between two bond ETFs? Upset about the performance of her bond fund. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A True Fiduciary?
April 10, 2024 18:21 - 46 minutesMost advisors claim to be fiduciaries and even those who are always required to act in a client's best interests can have conflicts. What makes a true fiduciary financial advisor? We also discuss young investors sources of advice. Callers join in and ask: Does it make sense to split a bond portfolio between US and international bonds? How do you find the right advisor to write a financial plan? Can someone with a 401k still contribute to a Roth IRA? Why didn't a bank supply a 1099 for a C...
The Highest Heights?
April 09, 2024 21:20 - 46 minutesNobel laureate, Robert Shiller, believes that the U.S. stock market may have run its course for awhile. So, what should you do is he's right? You be shocked (wink) at the answer. Then, aa whole lot of listeners call in: Where should money from a property sale be kept for a future tax payment? Does it make sense to buy a little physical gold? Are money market fund yields lower than stated because of expenses? How should an early retiree invest and generate income? How can you calculate th...