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Episodes

We post new episodes verey weekday (except holidays).
March 19, 2024

Playing It Too Safe?

Americans 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: bond f...
March 18, 2024

Biggest Wealth Destroyers

Sometimes 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? Comments? Click!
March 15, 2024

Questions and Crypto's End

We 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 a...
March 14, 2024

Financial Jealousy

The 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 Questions? Comments? Click!
March 13, 2024

Wait for Stocks to Fall?

With 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...
March 12, 2024

Free Usually Isn’t

After 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. Ho...
March 11, 2024

Question Overload

With 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? Click!
March 8, 2024

Questions, Comments, Crypto.

This 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/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!
March 7, 2024

Teen Investing Power

Today, 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 Questions? Comments?...
March 6, 2024

Too Much in Too Few

Nvidia. 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 deducti...
March 5, 2024

Money Mind Mending

Managing 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 Questions? Comments? Click!
March 4, 2024

Keep You Betting

The 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 choices. ...
Feb. 29, 2024

Start by Saving Money

Generation 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 Questions? Comments? Click!
Feb. 28, 2024

Don, Tom, and Paul

Here 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 Questions? Comments? Click!
Feb. 27, 2024

Don and Weston Wellington

It'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 Questions? Comments? Click!
Feb. 26, 2024

No Way to Know

Overconfidence 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? Comments? Click!
Feb. 23, 2024

Questions, Plus

This 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 Questions? Comments? Click!
Feb. 22, 2024

Retiree Regrets

To 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 more ab...
Feb. 21, 2024

Outrageous Returns?

In 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 Questio...
Feb. 20, 2024

CFP Equals Best Interests?

The 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 Questions? Comments? Click!
Feb. 16, 2024

Another Stormy Q&A

On 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/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!
Feb. 15, 2024

Too Many Choices?

From 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 Questions? Comments? Click!
Feb. 14, 2024

The ETF Innovation

Are 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 ADV, Pa...
Feb. 13, 2024

Harvesting Equity Wealth

Once, 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. Visit ...