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Episodes

We post new episodes verey weekday (except holidays).
March 19, 2025

Wanna Be Rich?

Another day, another batch of money myths to bust. In this episode of Talking Real Money, Tom and Don take a sledgehammer to the idea that becoming a millionaire requires some kind of magical stock picking, insane work hours,...
March 18, 2025

Prices Also Fall

In this episode of "Talking Real Money," hosts Don McDonald and Tom Cock address recent market volatility, emphasizing that despite headlines about markets "nosedives," the S&P 500 is still up 10% over the past year and only down 4.4% year-to-date, while globally diversified portfolios have far…
March 17, 2025

Catching Some Zs

In this episode of "Talking Real Money," hosts Don McDonald and Tom Cock discuss generational investing habits, highlighting concerning trends among Gen Z investors who start investing at age 19 but often engage in high-risk behaviors like options trading (36%), cryptocurrency (42% of males), and m…
March 14, 2025

These Questions Five

It's another Friday Q&A: 1:38 Inherited IRAs Explained 3:34 Understanding Short-Term Bond Funds 5:35 Tax Implications on Dividends 6:40 The Role of Mid-Cap Investments 8:43 Withdrawal Strategies in Retirement Learn more about...
March 13, 2025

Misplaced Confidence

In this episode, Tom and Don explore retail investors' behaviors influenced by users of platforms like Wall Street Bets, highlighting the risks faced by inexperienced traders in high-stakes options trading. We discuss poor investment habits driven by overconfidence, the gambler's fallacy, and behav…
March 12, 2025

Social inSecurity

Today, Don and Tom discuss essential personal finance and retirement planning strategies. They consider the future Social Security and the need to delay benefits for better payouts while advising young listeners to establish ...
March 11, 2025

Partisan Portfolios

In this episode, we examine the intersection of politics and investing, highlighting how emotional decisions can cloud judgment. We discuss politically-themed ETFs, like the Defiance MAGA ETF, emphasizing that economic factor...
March 10, 2025

Build Better

In this episode, we examine the key principles of constructing an investment portfolio, focusing on asset selection tailored to individual needs. We address listener questions about foundational components like stocks and bon...
March 7, 2025

Q&A Duo

In this Q&A episode, Don and Tom address listener questions about comparing Vanguard funds with Avantis Global Equity Fund, review an Army officer's retirement portfolio, provide debt management guidance for a young professio...
March 6, 2025

Bouncing Around

In this episode of "Talking Real Money," Don and Tom discuss investment risk using "volatility scores" to compare investments. They break down how the ARK Innovation ETF's higher returns come with extreme volatility and steeper losses compared to the Vanguard Total World Stock Index. They answer li…
March 5, 2025

Financial Fear Factors

From Saturday's second radio show hour: 2:04 Magical Technology and Reality 3:05 Understanding Risk in Investing 5:42 Measuring Investment Risk 7:20 The Importance of Drawdown 13:25 The Volatility of Investments 14:12 Comparing Investment Options 16:55 Live Questions and Listener Insights 18:04 Por…
March 4, 2025

Worry Less

Saturday's first radio hour becomes a podcast: 1:56 The Truth About Money Lies 3:18 Jonathan Clements' Insights 5:04 Coping with Financial Anxiety 7:01 Automating Your Finances 12:03 Tax Efficiency in Investments 18:36 Findin...
March 3, 2025

Put Down the Dow

In today's episode: 0:58 Introduction to the Dow Debate 2:11 The Dow's Calculation Explained 4:04 Big Tech's Influence on the Dow 5:17 The Dow's Media Presence 6:27 Ownership of the Dow Jones 8:07 The Arbitrary Nature of Indexes 11:21 Trusting Financial Indexes 14:18 Evaluating Investment Choices 1…
Feb. 28, 2025

We Have Questions

Thanks for the great questions (and a comment): 1:29 Long-Term Disability Insights 5:15 Fidelity Target Date Funds Discussion 10:59 Annuity Portfolio Changes 13:02 Understanding Wrap Accounts 16:49 Navigating Long-Term Care I...
Feb. 27, 2025

Why Try?

In today's episode: 0:33 Investing Truths Uncovered 1:38 The Fallacy of Active Management 2:55 Diversification and Market Cycles 5:23 Autopilot Investment Strategies 6:58 Trusting Long-Term Data 9:19 Historical Returns Explai...
Feb. 26, 2025

Financially Illiterate?

Now, the rest of the Saturday show: 0:52 The Biggest Heist in History 0:54 Financial Literacy: Are We Really Educated? 2:35 The Three Questions of Financial Literacy 5:10 Disappointment in Financial Knowledge 5:16 Finding a Financial Advisor 7:06 Preparing for Your First Advisor Meeting 10:02 Resea…
Feb. 25, 2025

Stocks Also Fall

From Saturday's show: 0:34 US Stocks Take a Tumble 4:44 Market Sentiment and Performance Analysis 7:41 Listener Call: Financial Concerns 12:00 Navigating Taxes and Annuities 14:57 Personalized Financial Planning Importance 17...
Feb. 24, 2025

How Low Can They Go?

In today's podcast: 1:27 Vanguard Cuts Fees 2:34 Small Savings for Investors 6:54 Customer Service Concerns 8:22 Index Fund Clarity 13:14 Dog Food Comparisons 13:43 Listener Questions Begin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!
Feb. 21, 2025

Managed Bonds Better?

In today's podcast: 0:44 Active vs Passive Fund Management 1:40 The Bond Fund Debate 3:01 Active Bond Management Challenges 4:20 Vanguard's Role in Bond Funds 5:46 Comparing Bond Fund Quality 6:55 The Risks of Active Manageme...
Feb. 20, 2025

Super Bowl Investing?

Here's Saturday's second radio hour: 1:48 Super Bowl Betting Frenzy 15:55 Long-Term Care Insurance Insights 17:39 Evaluating Pet Insurance Costs 31:52 Understanding Charitable Distributions 36:51 The Podcast Production Team Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Co…
Feb. 19, 2025

Price of Protection

Here's the first part of Saturday's show: 0:48 Real Money Basics 3:22 Hedge Funds Uncovered 5:15 The Role of AI in Investing 6:12 Listener Questions Begin 18:26 Performance and Client Feedback 19:37 Understanding Fund Compari...
Feb. 18, 2025

Q&A on a Tuesday?

We needed a special edition: 0:23 Opening the Question Pile 2:58 Historical Reflections 4:59 Tangents and Technology 9:31 Retirement Fund Strategies 11:19 Health Savings Accounts Explained 13:35 Roth Contribution Changes 15:2...
Feb. 14, 2025

It's Your Q

Here is this week's Q&A: 1:41 High-Yield Savings Accounts Discussion 5:05 Retirement Income Strategies 8:52 Transforming Your Retirement Portfolio 13:35 Rollover IRA Insight Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.f...
Feb. 13, 2025

Modern Money Media

In today's big show: 0:33 Social Media and Financial Advice 1:14 The Risks of Finfluencers 2:20 Regulation Gaps in Financial Advice 5:52 Shaquille O'Neal's Financial Evolution 7:14 Finding Reliable Financial Sources 8:55 The ...