Episodes

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 margin trading (25%). Unlike Baby Boomers who typically began investing at age 35, Gen Z relies heavily on questionable financial advice from social media "fin-fluencers," with approximately half usi...

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 your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!

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 behavioral finance pitfalls such as confirmation bias. We reiterate the importance of diversification and long-term strategies over trend-following. Then, we address listener questions on retirement plan...

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 emergency funds and utilize 401(k) and Roth IRA benefits. The hosts caution against misleading bank promotions and provide personalized insights on listener questions regarding insurance policies and tax implications. 2:05 Concerns About Social Security 5:03 Social Securit...

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 factors, not political trends, influence stock prices. Listeners are cautioned against allowing political affiliations to dictate investment strategies, as this can lead to underperformance. Using Walgreens as an example, we underscore the importance of diversification over indivi...

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 bonds, featuring Paul Merriman's four-fund model for balanced diversification. The conversation includes the value of international investments and real-life scenarios illustrating successful strategies. We also discuss the implications of tax-efficient fund choices and my pers...

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 professional, discuss options for handling an old 403(b) plan, and explain fund benchmark comparisons for Dimensional Funds. [0:04] Introduction and explanation for Q&A format change [3:07] Comparing Vanguard funds to Avantis Global Equity Fund (AVGE) [7:34] Army officer's retirem...

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 listener questions, suggesting a fee-only fiduciary advisor to someone with a broker-built portfolio of individual stocks and annuities. They also recommend a retirement plan update for a long-time fo...

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 Portfolio Rebalancing Strategies 19:41 Call for Listener Engagement 21:50 Evaluating Investment Portfolios 24:53 Choosing th...

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 Finding a Professional Fiduciary 22:21 Planning for Future Financial Care 31:13 Jonathan Clements' Final Advice 34:04 Understanding Rebalancing Risks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!

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 17:06 Risks of Complex Funds 20:04 Reassessing Retirement Strategies 22:05 Tax Implications of Investments Learn more ab...

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 Insurance Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!

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 Explained 11:49 The Power of Index Funds 13:03 Listener Questions and Insights 19:03 Young Investors and Market Perceptions 19:59 Understanding Fund Expenses Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!

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 Researching Your Potential Advisor 11:41 Understanding Fees and Conflicts of Interest 13:21 Selling Your Home: Capital Gains Deductions 17...

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 17:46 The Challenge of Finding Good Advisors 19:04 Fiduciary Responsibilities and Advisor Selection 24:50 Decumulation Strategies for Retirement 33:01 The Value of Professional Financial Guidance Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questio...

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!

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 Management 13:34 Questions and Comments 21:59 Self-Directed IRA Considerations 24:22 Personal vs Business Investments Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!

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? Comments? Click!

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 Comparisons 31:07 Navigating Closed-End Funds 33:22 Strategies for Retirement Income Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!

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 15:23 Understanding Fund Prices 18:54 Clarifying Roth IRA Confusion 23:04 The Role of Financial Advisors Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!

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.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!

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 Appeal of Meet Kevin 11:51 Dave Ramsey's Legal Troubles 13:09 Kevin's Family Life and Career 14:52 Engaging with Our Listeners 21:44 Navigating Avantis Funds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!

From our live event in Bellevue, WA: 1:32 Empowering Young Investors 2:52 Overcoming Financial Knowledge Gaps 4:05 Navigating Financial Information 5:16 Transition to Tom's Return 6:16 Food and Networking at Retire Meet 7:18 Weather Woes and Retirement Concerns 10:02 Addressing Retirement Purpose 13:03 The Importance of Social Security 14:17 Tom Takes Over the Show 14:50 Callers and Financial Questions 24:49 The Impact of Poli...

Don and Joey Saul-Sehy recorded live at Retiremeet. 0:37 Live from RetireMeet 2025 2:13 Impressions of RetireMeet 6:05 Lifestyle in Retirement 8:38 Practicing Retirement 9:54 Setting Up for Retirement 14:00 Transitioning to Retirement 14:56 Balancing Retirement Goals 19:26 Long-Term Disability Insights 27:13 Navigating Social Security 34:50 Comprehensive Financial Planning 35:52 Control in Retirement Planning Learn...