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Episodes

We post new episodes verey weekday (except holidays).
Feb. 12, 2024

Better Than 403b Plans

Most feel the only way to save for retirement is through qualiried, tax-advangatwed retirement plans like 401ks, 403bs and IRAs. But are they always the best choices for long-term investing? Plus, listeners ask: What do we think of Fidelity Zero funds now? Can someone with a retirement plan at work still contribute to an IRA? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!
Feb. 9, 2024

T.G.I.Q.A.F.

In this episode Don answers more of your questions from talkingrealmoney.com: What portfolio adjustments should be made to avoid IRMAA? How should the bond portion of a portfolio be invested? Is investing in high dividend stocks a good way to create retirement income? Can backdoor Roth conversions be done in the same year for two different tax years? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!
Feb. 8, 2024

Retirement Myths Busted

There is a lot of misinformations about retirement. Much is spread by people pitching products. Tom and Don go after many of the myths about retirement income, Social Security, Medicare, and more. They also hear from listeners: Wondering if a financial planner is needed goinf into retirement? Taking us to task over a mathematical misundertanding. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!
Feb. 7, 2024

Best Ignored

Happy to see Jason Zweig back from his sabbatical, Don shares his WSJ article on the wisdom of ignoring the stock market's fluctuations. Tom calls in from Vegas to explian his five-second $100 loss. Listeners ask: What should a house rich person do to create a decent retirement income? Is moving 401k money into an indexed annuity a wise move? This call sets Don on a rant against the horrible "advisors" who will say almost anything to sell these high-commission, complex insurance-based "investmen...
Feb. 6, 2024

Fees Lead

Now that there are potential fees to be collected from selling Bitcoin ETFs, many Wall Street firms have grwond enamored with this ephemeral speculation. A few firms are still standing firmly opposed. Bitcoin is the best of a bad bunch. The other 8000+ tokens have even less going for them. Don also shares the story of another crypto fraud. Listeners ask: Can a 529 be used as a "carrot" to reward good behavior in college? After the sale of a house, do they have enough to retire comfortably? Learn...
Feb. 5, 2024

No Way To Know

Burton Malkiel and other academics continue to tell us that consistently "beating the market" is essentially impossible. Investors need to understand the impossible natire of accurate prognostication and focus on those things that are in our control. Tom and Don explain the simple path you can take to reasonable investing success. Don talks about the Talking Real Money summer road trip. Listeners ask: Does a Fidelity 250-stock direct indexing plan make sense? Is it better to max out a Roth IRA o...
Feb. 2, 2024

Friday QCCA

This Friday: A listener corrects one of Don's statement about Bitcoin ETFs. Can buying a building for a business replace a REIT in a portfolio? What's the best way to invest a court settlement for a minor? A suggestion that an umbrella insurance policy could lower other P&C rates. A discussion of the difference between dividend reinvestment in mutual funds and ETFs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!
Feb. 1, 2024

We’re Retiring Better

Sure, building the wealth we want to retire well is hard work. However, let's look at the bright side. One hundred years ago, we'd probably be dead. Tom and Don talk about the current state of retirement in the U.S. and share some ideas for making it better. Listeners ask: What's the correct asset allocation for a portfolio including an HSA? How should I invest in retirement? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!
Jan. 31, 2024

So Long Silly ETFs

In very short order, the market sprouted thousands of exchange-traded funds (ETFs). While most were solid concepts with decades of research supporting them, a few were just silly. Thankfully, we are now seeing the demise of these crazy products. We also look at some of the worst ETFs from last year. With so many living with parents, what's the best way to help adult children become financially independent? Don goes back to some comments he has made about the need for homeowners insurance in a fe...
Jan. 30, 2024

Certificate of Excitement?

High-yield CDs are nothing new. It's just been a long-time. While a 5% rate feels pretty good after years of low rates, how long will they last? What should you do when rates fall again? Are there better ways to invest, particularly for younger investors? Did God really tell a Colorado preacher to create and sell a worthless cryptocurrency to his flock? We hear from a listener who believes that the Federal Reserve FedNow program is designed to control behavior. Another wonders if Fidelity c...
Jan. 29, 2024

Culling the Real Estate Herd?

The real estate sales business is about to face the same issues as other professions that have been squeezed by both technology and regulation. After a costly court ruling, and with increasingly powerful technology, the decline in real estate commissions is expected to accelerate (as have brokerage commissions over the years). Then, we hear from listeners like you: Is it too late to invest in a 529 for older kids? Is there a better option that the age-based plan in the Utah 529 plan? Learn more ...
Jan. 26, 2024

Global Questions

In today's episode callers ask Don Which is worse: and annuity of a leaf blower? What can be done for a friend who is on the brink of bankruptcy? Which CD is best and what is a callable CD? After a financial windfall is it too late to hire an advisor? Can a retired pastor take tax-free housing withdrawals after moving from 403b to IRA? Should a portfolio be diversified among accounts based on tax treatment? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click...
Jan. 25, 2024

Seeking Diversification

How many securities should you own in a well-diversified portfolio? Is it ten or ten thousand? We explore some advice on proper portfolio diversification versus market-timing and stock picking. Then, listeners ask: How should a Health Savings Account (HSA) be invested? Does it make sense to add Boston Partners Large Cap Value Equity Fund to a portfolio? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!
Jan. 24, 2024

Stealthy Budget Killers

It's no wonder that businesses love the subscription model. It makes paying for products and services automatic and provides steady predictable cash flow. On the flip side, it also creates an almost impercetible drain of your budget. Learn how to reduce the subscription cash suck. We agree with Dave Ramsey's dislike of cash-value life insurance. A listener shares a tool for cutting subscription costs and wonders why it would ever be okay to go without homeowners insurance? Others ask: When i...
Jan. 23, 2024

New Highs Mean Little

After a big week for stocks, we address the reality of the equity markets and why a "new high" is nothing to get excited about. While 5% rates feel better than zero, we are concerened that too much money languishes in banks. Plus, more money is finally invested in passive funds than actively managed products and why it's about darned time. Listeners ask: Is Retiremeet worthwhile for those already retired? How should money be invested in a deferred compensation plan? Learn more about your ...
Jan. 22, 2024

The Great Home Debate

In today's podcast, we present more evidence showing it may be subssrantially cheaper to rent a home than to buy one. However, the equation changes when you factor in emotions. Plus, how much money do you need to be wealthy? Do shares an example of why buying a new cars is a financial mistake? A listener asks: What should be done with an old whole life policy purchased by parents for an adult child? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!
Jan. 19, 2024

Questions and Songs

First, a listener wants to take Don to task for his Bitcoin negativity. What is the value of tax-loss harvesting? Can a Coverdell ESA be moved to a 529 plan? Can RMDs be postponed by going back to work? Finally, we conclude with some listener created musical interludes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!
Jan. 18, 2024

Legal Loan Sharks

We're all over the fiscal place today. After an ad during our radio show we look at the horrible and yet perfectly legal predatory predatory short-term loan business. Then, we try to understand why experts are still advising investors to try to find the right time to buy stocks and consider the psychological effect of bad markets. Plus, we compare whether it makes more sense to buy gold bars or freeze-dried emergency food at Costco. A listener looks for advice on taking a lump-sum distribution o...
Jan. 17, 2024

Better in an ETF?

The SEC finally have given in to the pressure and approved "real" Bitcoin ETFs. Does this change make cryptocurrencies and less ephemeral or improve their possibilities as an "investment?" What are the 5 biggest annuity sales lies? Plus, are "regular investor" hedge funds any better than their "big" investor counterparts? Then listeners asks:: Which funds should be used for young people's Roth IRAs? Can an advisor pitching indexed annuity be a fiduciary as he claims? Learn more about you...
Jan. 16, 2024

Invest and Reduce Taxes

In the new year, you can save even more for retirement on a tax-advantaged basis. Take full advantage of your opportunities to save now and in the future. Plus, listeners want to know: How should excess money in an HSA be invested? What should be done with a $500,000 inheritance? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!
Jan. 12, 2024

Friday Questions and More

In this Q&A episode: Does it make sense to switch from taxable bonds to tax-free municipal bonds? Does a portfolio need more international or value exposure? What effect will new Bitcoin ETFs have on the value of Bitcoin? A listener disagrees with our statements about buying a home versus renting? Is Emancipare a legitimate advisor? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!
Jan. 11, 2024

Short-Term Means Little

Beware of most (if not all) of the investing advice in the financial press. This is particularly true when the information is based on short-term data. Don't peek at your portfolio too often. Then we take listeners questions: Does it make sense to purchace pension service credits? Do those with checking at their broker need a bank account? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!
Jan. 10, 2024

The Weakest Plan?

Of all the types of employer-sponsored retirement plans, 403(b) plans are among the worst. Without a fiduciary requirement, many of the investment options are expensive, high-commission insurance products. That's why the onus is on you to make smart choices. Then, we hear from listeners: To discuss issues with distributions from and taxes on an estate. How to get a portfolio evaluation from us? What do we think of Delaware Stautory Trusts (DSTs)? When should RMDs be taken? What's the best way to...
Jan. 9, 2024

Biggest Retirement Blunders

Very few Americans feel confident they can financially enjoy a comfortable retirement. So, what do real retirees wish they knew before retiring? We discuss why every investor should have international stocks and and share the hottest global markets. How did the United States fare? Along the way, callers join in. What do we think of the retirement investment options from Northen Trust? In the current environment would it be better to invest in longer term bonds? Learn more about your ad choices. ...