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Aug. 12, 2025

Barron’s Bond Blunder

Show Notes

Today’s show exposes how Barron’s ran an undisclosed advertorial from a high-fee bond fund manager pushing junk-heavy, risky products while trashing traditional bonds with misleading comparisons. Don and Tom explained why safe bonds should stay short-to-intermediate term and simple, called out a Starlink “$127 for life” internet scam, and fielded listener questions on tax-adjusted rebalancing between traditional and Roth IRAs, trimming long-held Microsoft vs. American Funds, Social Security timing myths, and why Bitcoin isn’t an investment. An email question on replacing BND rounded out the episode with a reminder that its structure still works for most investors.

0:04 Opening; Barron’s undisclosed advertorial problem and high-fee, junk-heavy bond funds

5:06 Scam watch — Starlink $127-for-life ad and why nobody will protect you but you

9:41 Caller Rob: Tax-adjusted IRA rebalancing, simple three-fund global strategy with overlap

16:11 Caller Bob: Which to trim first — Microsoft vs. American Funds ICA

21:41 Caller Tony: Social Security timing and why trust fund worries aren’t a reason to claim early

26:27 Caller Bruce: Bitcoin as speculation, not an investment, and the altcoin glut

35:13 Email: Swapping BND for short/intermediate bonds — why BND’s structure still works
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