Episodes

We post new episodes verey weekday (except holidays).
July 24, 2024

On the Road in Wisconsin

Tom meets Don and listeners in Madison, Wisconsin: 0:35 Welcome to Talking Real Money live from Goodland Park 8:19 The insurance industry's challenge with transparency 12:34 The importance of recognizing ethical financial advisors 24:19 The importance of financial literacy for investing 31:26 Making informed decisions about high-interest savings accounts 36:13 Wrapping up the show in Madison, Wisconsin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Cl...
July 23, 2024

More Return Adds Risk

Tom meets Don on the road trip in a park in Madison, Wisconsin: 0:04 The Corn Chronicles 1:33 Ethanol Insights 5:31 Financial Decisions 7:32 Risky Yields 10:44 Insurance Insights 13:06 Too Good to Be True 17:00 Retirement Dilemma 25:05 Portfolio Simplification Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!
July 19, 2024

Leave Nothing?

In this Q&A session: 0:07 Die with Zero concept and spending for experiences 1:37 Audience member's humorous desire for a bounced check 9:22 Bill Perkins' extravagant birthday celebration and giving away wealth 11:19 Importance of enjoying life and family experiences 13:53 Valuable life lessons and considerations on money management 17:22 Avoiding risky investments when saving for short-term goals 18:36 Precautions and considerations for Roth conversions 20:25 Impact of Roth conversions ...
July 18, 2024

Younger Investors Smarter?

Tom is back for a new episode featuring: 0:04 Welcome Back Banter 5:01 Shifting Investment Trends 7:13 Generational Investing Shifts 12:27 The Pitfalls of Trading 15:29 VTWAX vs. VT 17:59 Asset Allocation Adjustment 19:36 Advisor Interview Form Review Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!
July 17, 2024

Why Small Cap Stocks?

In today's episode: 3:31 The Dow and Small Company Stocks 6:37 The Value in Small Cap Investing 13:01 Beware of Gimmickry in Investing 15:06 Understanding Risky Investment Strategies 21:09 Get a Second Opinion for Your Financial Future 27:42 Overcoming Hodgepodge-itis in Your Portfolio 36:44 Recommendations for Small Cap Value Funds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!
July 17, 2024

Insurance+Investments=Issues

In what was supposed to be the Tuesday podcast: 1:46 The Truth About Annuities 5:37 A Bright Financial Future 6:25 Financial Decisions Made Easy 6:43 Slamming the Insurance Industry 7:03 Properly Placed Annuities 7:16 Beware of Variable Annuities 16:52 Basket Portfolios and ETFs 27:33 Overcoming Hodgepodge-itis 30:43 Prioritizing Financial Goals 35:14 Universal Life Insurance Dilemma 36:41 Summer Adventures and Updates Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Q...
July 12, 2024

Travelin' Answer Man

In this Q&Apisode: 0:04 On the Road Again 5:24 Planning for Retirement 8:58 Handling Inherited Accounts 13:08 Maximizing Retirement Savings 14:24 Balancing Investment Focus 18:48 Role of Real Estate in Portfolio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!
July 11, 2024

Another Show with Joe

Joe Saul-Sehy from Stacking Benjamins joins Don again to discuss: 3:09 Financial Planning Teaching Methods 8:23 Taxation and Financial Planning History 12:25 Efficacy of Fee-Only Planners 16:58 Transition to Lower Commission Annuities 21:10 Portfolio Analysis and Index Fund Consideration 26:54 Stoicism and Investing Philosophy 29:06 Road Trip Update Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!
July 10, 2024

Stock Picking Fails

Another episode on the road: 0:03 Bad Year for Stock Pickers 3:24 Property Value and Lease Analysis 4:35 Triple Net Lease Concerns 5:19 Seeking a Second Opinion 5:31 Fiduciary Advisors at Apella 6:18 Creating a Bright Financial Future 13:17 Starting a Retirement Plan 15:02 Retirement Planning for Contractors 25:24 Reality Radio and Index Funds 27:03 Treating Hodgepodge-itis 28:44 Retirement Planning for Special Needs Children 37:27 Diversification with Vanguard Learn more about your...
July 9, 2024

Better Berries, Bad Banks

As Don continues his travels, we discuss: 0:03 On the Road Again 5:41 Berry Talk 8:11 Financial Philosophy 12:39 Protecting Your Investments 20:56 Family Inheritance Dilemma 24:48 Setting Expectations 27:36 Overcoming Hodgepodge-itis 33:53 Portfolio Allocation Concerns 36:58 Banking Fees Deception Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!
July 5, 2024

Tom & Roxy Q&A

In this Q&A episode: 1:49 The Dangers of Following Market Trends 4:27 Making Decisions Based on Future Feelings 4:58 Investing for Yourself, Not the World 5:19 Welcoming Roxy Butner to the Studio 5:31 Question from Jane about Robo-Advisors 10:24 Estate Planning and Trusts 13:35 Exploring Annuities in Retirement Accounts 18:25 Retirement Planning with Thomas from New Jersey 25:39 Importance of Financial Planning in Retirement Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoice...
July 3, 2024

Investing Should Be Dull

Another exciting episode from the mountains of North Carolina: 0:03 Introduction to the Journey 2:40 Looking for exciting investments? 7:45 Importance of Seeking Second Opinions 9:23 Retirement Planning and Investment Allocation 11:05 Sustainable Withdrawal Rate in Retirement 21:43 Investing Should Be Boring 24:32 Discussion on Avoiding Capital Gains Taxes 28:09 Seeking Treatment for Hodgepodge-itis 34:22 Push for Consumer-Centric Financial Industry 38:25 Challenging Live Show Amidst R...
July 2, 2024

Five Feels Fine

Here's the first true "On the Road" edition: 0:04 On the Road Woes 4:09 Temptation of the S&P 500 13:25 Technical Challenges Resolved 14:24 The Dumb Duo of Investing 14:56 Investment Horrors Unveiled 15:33 Real Estate Syndicates Warnings 25:22 Portfolio Purpose Planning 29:46 Avoiding High Fee Traps 34:18 Great American Road Trip Ahead Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!
July 1, 2024

While the Tom's Away...

Join Don and Joe Saul-Sehy from Stacking Benjamins as they discuss: 0:04 The Secret Coup 1:27 Stacking Benjamins 3:07 The FIRE Movement 9:18 Work and More 12:22 Retirement Realities 14:56 Retirement Reimagined 17:39 The Power of Need 19:05 Unveiling the Box 21:53 Understanding Complexity 25:03 Analyzing ETF BOXX 26:25 The Greatest Money Show on Earth Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!
June 29, 2024

Friday Q's on Saturday

Don is on the road, so Friday's Q&A is a bit late: 1:28 Maximizing Financial Aid Strategy 4:06 Investing in Individual Stocks 7:49 Converting 401k to IRA 11:37 Creating a Glide Path Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!
June 27, 2024

Gradual Change

In this episode: 0:03 Slow Roll into Retirement 2:38 Working Beyond Retirement Age 4:38 Managing Retirement Portfolio Successfully 7:48 Housing Dilemma 9:18 Mutual Funds vs. ETFs 14:34 Owning Multiple Houses 16:46 Long-Term Housing Plans Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!
June 26, 2024

State Retirement Costs

In this edition: 13:09 Exploring Retirement Costs Across the Country 20:44 Importance of Second Opinions in Investing 29:31 Exploring Anti-ESG Funds 35:02 Disputing Charges on Credit Cards Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!
June 25, 2024

Dumb and Dumber

In this episode: 1:34 Don's Dumb Duo 5:23 Get a Second Opinion 8:40 The Value of Gold 11:43 Financial Planning Challenges 14:55 Roth Conversions Advice 16:57 Schwab and Fidelity Comparison 19:50 Clarification on Bond Holdings 22:06 After-Tax Contributions in 401k 29:46 Disagreement on Alternative Investments 33:56 Caution on Private Credit Investments 37:08 Risks of Alternative Investments Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comment...
June 25, 2024

Dimensional's Matrix Book

In today's show: 0:04 Slipping into the Matrix 5:01 The Fascination with Market Capitalization 9:45 The Importance of Diversification 13:14 Understanding Pension Plan Options 16:59 Annuities vs. IRAs: Which is Better? 19:16 Opportunities for Financial Guidance Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!
June 21, 2024

Q&A with Tom & Roxy

In this Question and Answer Episode: 0:04 The Gold Rush: Physical vs. Financial 1:18 The Speculation of Gold 3:05 Investing Insights: Stocks vs. Gold 4:36 Q&A with Roxy Butner 5:06 Roth IRA Dilemma: Lump Sum or Dollar Cost Average? 8:06 Portfolio Makeover: Fund Reallocation 11:17 Retirement Planning: Managing 403b and 401k Funds 14:45 Understanding Fund Gains: Net vs. Gross 16:41 Financial Evolution: Trends in Investor Questions 18:23 Special Announcement: Retirement Reprise Event Lea...
June 20, 2024

Emotional Manipulation

In this episode we discuss: 0:04 Investment "Cheesecake" 1:46 Market Predictions: To Worry or Not to Worry 1:53 Stock Market History: Looking Back and Moving Forward 6:41 The Unpredictable Future: Market Speculations 9:56 Market Timing Dilemma: Selling and Buying Strategies 16:15 Retirement Investment Queries: Bond Funds and Risk Tolerance 18:49 Evaluating Investment Providers: Avoiding Gimmicks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!
June 19, 2024

Parental Influences

In this show we discuss: 1:12 Parents' Influence on Money Behavior 2:22 Impact of Childhood Money Habits 9:45 Retirement Dilemma Discussion 13:45 Tax Planning Considerations 17:00 Managing Real Estate Assets 20:49 Annuity Evaluation Guidance 24:46 Selecting Investment Funds in 401k 29:08 Annuity Liquidation Tax Implications 32:01 Annuity Sales Pitch Awareness 35:30 Indexed Annuities Podcasts Overview Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? ...
June 18, 2024

Self-Fulfilling Profits, See?

In 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 Questions? Co...
June 17, 2024

Advisors Lie

In 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...