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
2% is Too Much
April 08, 2024 21:27 - 24 minutesPaying too much for your retirement plan and the investments within can damage your future. Listeners ask: What do we think of direct indexing? Why isn't Don's book available as an audiobook? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A Few Friday Qs
April 05, 2024 21:27 - 16 minutesSubmit your spoken questions at talkingrealfmoney.com. This week: What if "messing around" with a portfolio simply means using Avantis and DFA ETFs? Are Avantis ETFs reall worth the extra expenses versus Vanguard index ETFs? What should be done with a portfolio of broket sold Franklin-Templeton funds? Is there a way to take money out of an IRA early without paying a penalty? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Much is Needed?
April 04, 2024 21:12 - 26 minutesWhat is your retirement number? Everyone should have one. Most people's number is too low, so you really need to try and calculate how much money you will need to have invested to create a decent stream of income for thosee post-work years. Then, we take your questions: Should a target-date fund be held in a non-qualified, taxable account? Instead of investing, why not just keep everything in one of today's high-yield money market products? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone...
Stocks Start Strong
April 03, 2024 20:45 - 46 minutesLarge-cap, U.S. stocks had a very good first quarter. However, many markets and previously hot stocks lagged far behind. What should this mean for your portfolio? We discuss the powerful research on investing psychology by Daniel Kahneman and Don's upcoming road trip. Plus, listeners join in: What's the best way to sell one house, build another, and still have enough money left to live on? How should a grandparent set up IRAs for working grandkids and how much might they eventually have? T...
Election Has You Worried?
April 02, 2024 20:33 - 46 minutesEvery four years investors grow concerned about the terrible impact that "other" presidential candidate might have on the stock market after the election. Yes, the evidence shows that new president's have had no discernable impact on the markets, so stop worrying. The listeners ask: Is it time to start reducing a portfolio's aggressiveness? Should the money from maturing bonds be reinevsted in funds all at once or over time? What's the best way to take money out of retirement savings to bu...
The Mammoth in the Room
April 01, 2024 20:52 - 30 minutesYou can probably stumble through most of your financial life. The one money need for which you must plan is retirement. Today, we discuss some of the most important things you must do to retire comfortably. Plus, we answer your questions: How should money from a maturing annuity be invested? Why should we invest in Avantis ETFs when they don't have a long track record? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Another Q and A Day
March 29, 2024 21:24 - 20 minutesDon takes on a bunch of your questions again: What can be done about a late required minimum distribution (RMD)? Is there a waiting period before you can withdraw money from a rollover Roth IRA? What's the best way to start properly passively investing? Don't fee-only investment advisors have a conflict becuase of the fee they charge? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Diversification Defined
March 28, 2024 21:52 - 25 minutesFor your portfolio to be properly diversified, how many stocks should you own? Is ten enough or do you need ten thousand? We share the Motley Fool's perspective and our own. Plus, listeners ask: What kind of credit card do we suggest for maximum reward potential? How do older investors find the financial help needed for a fiscally disinterested spouse? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thematic Gambling
March 27, 2024 20:34 - 46 minutesThe latest hot investing craze, thematic funds, are actually a recycled old idea, sector funds. As with any other attempt to nbeat the market, we found that "thematic" fund investors actually for worse than the funds themselves. Individual investors continue to prove thatm overall, the market is typically unbeatable. Plus, we show you how to find the best 403b plans. Listeners ask: Is a cheaper price per share ETF better than a pricier one? How much should be withdrawn from a retirement pla...
Portfolios Need Risk
March 26, 2024 21:00 - 49 minutesYou need to understand risk to be a successful investor. Most of us already have a very safe investment and should take risk elsewhere in our portfolio. What is risk and how can you manage it? We hear from listeners asking: How should an 80-year old's money be invested? How can you find a great financial advisor? What is the best way to invest $1.6 million? How should a recent divorced woman invest her settlement money? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Big Income, Little Risk
March 25, 2024 21:30 - 26 minutesThe financial product industry knows that you want the highest possible retunr with little (or no) risk. Given the amount of money invoiced, they are willing to try almost anything to pull off this illusion. However, no one has EVER been successful. Don and Tom discuss the latest attempt to provide investors with a near riskless income. Plus we take your questions: Does an employer's contribution count toward 401k limits? Is it better to pay of student loans or fund retirement? Learn more ...
Still More Friday Q&A
March 22, 2024 20:29 - 19 minutesToday's question and qnswer session features: Does a CD ladder work for portfolio protection? Is Robin Hood's Gold account worth the fee? In moving from indicvidual stocsk to ETFs can one stock's loss offest another's gain? Can we focus a program on the income generating phase of life? Do these three funds make a decent retirement portfolio? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Play it Safe?
March 21, 2024 21:23 - 24 minutesAfter interest rates hit 5%, some investors seem content to stick with savings and CDs. Tom and Don discuss the downside oif settling for today's safe money returns. What about other investments that promise "safe", high yields? Listeners want to know about: The wisdom of investing in a real estate trust? The impact of interest rate changes on pension payouts? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Financial Faux Pas
March 20, 2024 21:00 - 46 minutesIn this episode, we share several of the biggest blunders that keep us from building the wealth we need for the future. Learn how to be a better investor with some really simple lifestyle and investing tweaks. Plus, we hear from our listeners: Does paying an advisor 1% per year mean that the 4% rule becomes the 3% rule? A real estate broker believes that real estate agents will thrive despite the NAR settlement. How should money be invested with wither New York Life or Edward Jones? Learn...
Playing It Too Safe?
March 19, 2024 22:08 - 46 minutesAmericans have a lot of money in cash, earning essentially nothing. Others are happy earning a nice, safe 5% on short-term CDs and bonds. Yet, we could be shortchaging ourselves in the future by not investing properly. Don shares more details on his summer Talking Real Money Road Trip and we discuss the ramifications of the commission settlement by Realtors. Then, on to listeners phone calls: What would have been a reasonable return on a portfolio over the past few years? Which is better: b...
Biggest Wealth Destroyers
March 18, 2024 21:29 - 25 minutesSometimes the hottest investments end up turning icy cold. Today, we share some of once exciting investments that destroyed much of their investors wealth. Plus, listeners join in to discuss: The positive impact our shows have had on a finnacial life. What do we think of a proposed allocation to TSP funds? How do we feel about investing in AI and do we have any suggestions? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Questions and Crypto's End
March 15, 2024 21:15 - 27 minutesWe want to answer everyone's questions, without exception, However, every once in awhile a "trolll" takes advantage of our desire to present all sides of an issues. So, to be fair, I give the same listener three "last words" on crypto, before ending his participation. Then: What would it take to become a financial advisor? What are immediate annuities? Is it okay to play with one investment account? Does the wash sale rule apply to purchases right before a sales? Learn more about your ad...
Financial Jealousy
March 14, 2024 22:08 - 26 minutesThe desire to "keep up with the Joneses" is ingrained in is. However, the result of financial envy can be disastrous. Discover why you need to avoid money jealousy. Plus, listeners ask: How much of a portfolio should be in this particular ETF? What are we referring to when we talk about 7% annuities? How can an investor find a 100% fee-only fiduciary advisor? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Wait for Stocks to Fall?
March 13, 2024 20:08 - 45 minutesWith the stock markets at "all-time highs," should you wait a while before investing? In essence, can you accurately time the market? Then a bunch of listeners call in: What should an older investor do to create a simple retirement portfolio? Does it always make sense to tap taxable accounts before taking money from tax-advantaged account? How can an older person get started investing for retirement? Could Roths be taxed in the future? Would it be wise for an elderly investor to move her...
Free Usually Isn’t
March 12, 2024 20:39 - 45 minutesAfter experiencing some radio show technical problems, Tom and Don discuss the shockingly large percentage of your money that goes to Wall Street firms and why should be wary of alternative investments. Then, they bemoan the lack of financial literacy education and the horrible sales pitch passed of as education. Plus, a subject of a financial advisor profile lies about the fees he charges. Listeners chime in: On the Washington legislatures failure to pass a financial listeacy education bill...
Question Overload
March 11, 2024 21:07 - 27 minutesWith Retiremeet, question flow increased. So, we added a special Monday Q&A Edition with Tom and Don. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Questions, Comments, Crypto.
March 08, 2024 19:50 - 20 minutesThis week: A comment about Don's Readastorus podcast. Avoiding taxes on Social Security. Using HSA benefits to indirectly fund a Roth. ChatGPT as an investment advisor. A couple of Bitcoin boosters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Teen Investing Power
March 07, 2024 21:50 - 27 minutesToday, we swim against our demographic and address the issue of teengae investing. Don't you wish you would have started investing 30, 40, or even 50 years ago? Today, it's easier than ever to invest while young and we share some thoughts on starting early. Plus, listeners ask: For a "deep dive" into proper account asset allocation. What do we think of these perceived shortcomings of exchange-traded funds (ETFs)? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Too Much in Too Few
March 06, 2024 22:12 - 45 minutesNvidia. Apple. Microsoft. A huge chunk of the market is made up of just a few high-tech stocks. Yet, today's hot tech often grows cold. Once again, Tom and Don make the case for diversification in your investment portfolio. We also discuss the foolishness of collectible "investing." Then callers want to know: In a banking crisis, can we lose ownership of our stocks? What's the best way to pay for an emergency roof replacement? How should restricted company stock be sold? Does an IRA tax ...
Money Mind Mending
March 05, 2024 21:43 - 47 minutesManaging your money and building a better financial future are easier than you think. All you need to know are a few simple things you must do and a few you must avoid. Plus, we hear from a bunch of listeners: In what order should retirement accounts be tapped? What happens to stocks if the banking system collapse? How should a family member's portfolio be invested for assisted living? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Keep You Betting
March 04, 2024 22:21 - 28 minutesThe very worst thing you can do with money is gambling. Unlike the stock market, which has had an upward bias due to general economic growth, gambling is a less than zero sum game for everyone but the house. Today we talk about the dispicable things that gambling promoters do to keep you filling their pockets. Listeners ask: What do we think of Schwab's Theme ETFs? Is it better to save pre-tax money for retirement or use post-tax dollars to get tax-free growth? Learn more about your ad cho...
Start by Saving Money
February 29, 2024 22:13 - 27 minutesGeneration X is suffereing from a savings crisis. We know it sounds boring, but without a regular savings plan it's hard to to build wealth. The earlier you start the better. We have some ideas to make saving easier. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Don, Tom, and Paul
February 28, 2024 22:01 - 46 minutesHere is the second part of our annual Retiremeet episode featuring a short visit from Paul Merriman and a few of your questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Don and Weston Wellington
February 27, 2024 22:49 - 46 minutesIt's our annual Retiremeet special program in which Don wings it from our big annual event in Bellevue. In this episode, Dimensional Fund's Weston Wellington drops by for a chat about the science of investing and Tom briefly passes through. Plus, a couple of questions from attendees and listeners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
No Way to Know
February 26, 2024 23:17 - 25 minutesOverconfidence is a financial killer. Far too many of us are certain that we know the direction of interest rates because there are just two choices: up or down. But, it's still just guessing. You can't know any part of the future. Then, listeners ask: What is the maximum number of clients an advisor can properly service? What do we think of Phoenix Capital Group? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Questions, Plus
February 23, 2024 17:00 - 24 minutesThis week: What is the best way to buy a new car? How should younger people plan for healthcare in retirement? Should a total bond market fund be in a taxable brokerage account? Finally, four questions in one about creating a better portfolio in retirement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Retiree Regrets
February 22, 2024 17:00 - 45 minutesTo help you avoid some of the mistakes that can spoil your retirement, we share what many retirees wish they had done differently. So, Dave, only the wealthy can afford a house? We also look at some real problems with Dave Ramsey's home ownership advice. The QQQ celebrates an anniversary, but is it even needed? Plus we hear from you: In what order should money be withdrawn from different kinds of accounts in retirement? Does it make sense to convert IRAs into a Roths in retirement? Learn m...
Outrageous Returns?
February 21, 2024 21:48 - 46 minutesIn an ongoing attempt to entice you into risky bets, another financial firm has found a loophole that allows it to advertise a huge yield that isn't that impressive using a risky variation on covered call writing funds. We go on to explain how covered call writing works and the risks involved. Listeners want to know: Why do we still suggest bonds in an investor's portfolio? What's wrong with his covered call writing strategy? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
CFP Equals Best Interests?
February 20, 2024 22:42 - 27 minutesThe Certified Financial Planner Board claims that those with the CFP designation are required to act in your best interests. However, do they always act as a fiduciary and what can be done if they don't? Plus you ask us questions: What to we think of David McKnight's (The Power of Zero) advice? Where should a small business emergency fund be invested? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Another Stormy Q&A
February 16, 2024 22:09 - 19 minutesOn today's question and answer episode: Can a custodian move a UGMA into a 529? Will there be an online replay of Retiremeet? Why should someone consider AVGE considering its flaws? A caller shares a crypto twofer? How should money from a 401k be invested at Vanguard? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Too Many Choices?
February 15, 2024 22:54 - 24 minutesFrom a few stocks and bonds, investment options are practically beyond comprehension. How do you pick the best portfolio pieces from the bewidering mix of choices? We discuss the incredible failure of one such hot investment vehicles, ARKK. Listeners ask: Can you be both the owner and beneficiary of a 529 Plan? Do 401k assets count in the pro-rata requirements for a backfoor IRA? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The ETF Innovation
February 14, 2024 20:23 - 45 minutesAre we seeing the beginning of the end of traditional mutual funds? ETfs have proven their worth as an investment vehicle that is in many ways better than a regular open-end fund. Will ETFS take over the investing world? Plus, we talk about why some Wall Street firms are accepting crypto into their midst, with one major exception, Vanguard. We also take some questions from listeners: Is it better to give money to family from and IRA or brokerage fund? What's inportant in an advisors Form AD...
Harvesting Equity Wealth
February 13, 2024 23:03 - 47 minutesOnce, dividends account for a large part of stocks' returns. Today they are far less important. Does it make sense for investors to chase after high dividends? Don shares the past power of a simple balanced fund. Listeners ask: Is a CD the best place to invest real estate proceeds for retirement income? How does rental income compare to income froma diversified portfolio? Can large positions in single stocks be combined into a fund to avoid capital gains? Learn more about your ad choices....
Better Than 403b Plans
February 12, 2024 22:41 - 27 minutesMost feel the only way to save for retirement is through qualiried, tax-advangatwed retirement plans like 401ks, 403bs and IRAs. But are they always the best choices for long-term investing? Plus, listeners ask: What do we think of Fidelity Zero funds now? Can someone with a retirement plan at work still contribute to an IRA? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
T.G.I.Q.A.F.
February 09, 2024 21:31 - 22 minutesIn this episode Don answers more of your questions from talkingrealmoney.com: What portfolio adjustments should be made to avoid IRMAA? How should the bond portion of a portfolio be invested? Is investing in high dividend stocks a good way to create retirement income? Can backdoor Roth conversions be done in the same year for two different tax years? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Retirement Myths Busted
February 08, 2024 20:17 - 23 minutesThere is a lot of misinformations about retirement. Much is spread by people pitching products. Tom and Don go after many of the myths about retirement income, Social Security, Medicare, and more. They also hear from listeners: Wondering if a financial planner is needed goinf into retirement? Taking us to task over a mathematical misundertanding. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Best Ignored
February 07, 2024 22:30 - 46 minutesHappy to see Jason Zweig back from his sabbatical, Don shares his WSJ article on the wisdom of ignoring the stock market's fluctuations. Tom calls in from Vegas to explian his five-second $100 loss. Listeners ask: What should a house rich person do to create a decent retirement income? Is moving 401k money into an indexed annuity a wise move? This call sets Don on a rant against the horrible "advisors" who will say almost anything to sell these high-commission, complex insurance-based "inv...
Fees Lead
February 06, 2024 21:41 - 46 minutesNow that there are potential fees to be collected from selling Bitcoin ETFs, many Wall Street firms have grwond enamored with this ephemeral speculation. A few firms are still standing firmly opposed. Bitcoin is the best of a bad bunch. The other 8000+ tokens have even less going for them. Don also shares the story of another crypto fraud. Listeners ask: Can a 529 be used as a "carrot" to reward good behavior in college? After the sale of a house, do they have enough to retire comfortably? ...
No Way To Know
February 05, 2024 22:26 - 28 minutesBurton Malkiel and other academics continue to tell us that consistently "beating the market" is essentially impossible. Investors need to understand the impossible natire of accurate prognostication and focus on those things that are in our control. Tom and Don explain the simple path you can take to reasonable investing success. Don talks about the Talking Real Money summer road trip. Listeners ask: Does a Fidelity 250-stock direct indexing plan make sense? Is it better to max out a Roth ...
Friday QCCA
February 02, 2024 23:02 - 15 minutesThis Friday: A listener corrects one of Don's statement about Bitcoin ETFs. Can buying a building for a business replace a REIT in a portfolio? What's the best way to invest a court settlement for a minor? A suggestion that an umbrella insurance policy could lower other P&C rates. A discussion of the difference between dividend reinvestment in mutual funds and ETFs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We’re Retiring Better
February 01, 2024 22:03 - 26 minutesSure, building the wealth we want to retire well is hard work. However, let's look at the bright side. One hundred years ago, we'd probably be dead. Tom and Don talk about the current state of retirement in the U.S. and share some ideas for making it better. Listeners ask: What's the correct asset allocation for a portfolio including an HSA? How should I invest in retirement? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
So Long Silly ETFs
January 31, 2024 22:48 - 46 minutesIn very short order, the market sprouted thousands of exchange-traded funds (ETFs). While most were solid concepts with decades of research supporting them, a few were just silly. Thankfully, we are now seeing the demise of these crazy products. We also look at some of the worst ETFs from last year. With so many living with parents, what's the best way to help adult children become financially independent? Don goes back to some comments he has made about the need for homeowners insurance in a...
Certificate of Excitement?
January 30, 2024 22:31 - 47 minutesHigh-yield CDs are nothing new. It's just been a long-time. While a 5% rate feels pretty good after years of low rates, how long will they last? What should you do when rates fall again? Are there better ways to invest, particularly for younger investors? Did God really tell a Colorado preacher to create and sell a worthless cryptocurrency to his flock? We hear from a listener who believes that the Federal Reserve FedNow program is designed to control behavior. Another wonders if Fidelity c...
Culling the Real Estate Herd?
January 29, 2024 22:35 - 26 minutesThe real estate sales business is about to face the same issues as other professions that have been squeezed by both technology and regulation. After a costly court ruling, and with increasingly powerful technology, the decline in real estate commissions is expected to accelerate (as have brokerage commissions over the years). Then, we hear from listeners like you: Is it too late to invest in a 529 for older kids? Is there a better option that the age-based plan in the Utah 529 plan? Learn mo...
Global Questions
January 26, 2024 23:04 - 28 minutesIn today's episode callers ask Don Which is worse: and annuity of a leaf blower? What can be done for a friend who is on the brink of bankruptcy? Which CD is best and what is a callable CD? After a financial windfall is it too late to hire an advisor? Can a retired pastor take tax-free housing withdrawals after moving from 403b to IRA? Should a portfolio be diversified among accounts based on tax treatment? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices