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Episodes

We post new episodes verey weekday (except holidays).
Jan. 8, 2024

Know Before You Commit

Before you enter into any relationship, it's important to know how the other person perceives money. This is particularly important to know if you plan to spend your life with that person. Plus, listeners ask: Can funds from a UGMA or UTMA be moved into a minor's 529 plan? What is our opinion of spiders (the ones spelled SDPRs)? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!
Jan. 5, 2024

New Year. New Questions.

Happy new year and we have new questions: What do we think of XY Planning Network? Is Vanguard's new Core Actively Managed Bond Fund a good investment? What can or should be done with a gifted annuity? Should VT and VTI be purchased now "at a peak?" Is a $9,000 RMD tax analysis worthwhile? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!
Jan. 4, 2024

Money Unmentionable

There may be a few things we shouldn't discuss. Money isn't one of them. We need to share nuggets of financial wisdom with our families to help them become better money managers. Beware of a clever new gift card scam. Plus, we share lessons from the Great Recession and more of Suze Orman's bad advice. We also take a lot of calls: Does it make sense to get back into target-date funds? What do we think of this bond ladder fund? How should an extra $500 a month be invested? What should be do...
Jan. 3, 2024

Inept Investing Info

We look back at "expert" market predictions for 2023. Who got it right, and who failed to come close? Then, we share better ways to invest. Do presidential elections have any impact on stock prices? Discover the big difference in fees for financial advice. We also discuss the huge financial mistakes of Don's favorite NFL team. Then we hear from listeners: Can funds (except for proprietary BridgeBuilder funds) be transferred from Edward Jones to Vanguard? Should mid-cap funds be included in ...
Jan. 2, 2024

Most Own Equities

One hundred years ago, very few Americans owned stocks. It was only in the past decade that a majority of us were invested in equities. Yet, the vast majority of stock investors fail even to match the performance of the S&P 500. Find out how you can be a better stock investor. Listeners ask: What do we think of a few of Fidelity's factor funds? Does it make sense to consolidate a portfolio in Vanguard Wellington? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments?...
Dec. 29, 2023

Last Q&A of '23

This is the last episode of 2023 and it's only fitting that it be Don's favorite type: questions and answers. We have some great ones this week: Is adding a DFA value fund worth the added cost? Should 529 money be used to eventually fund a Roth IRA? Can we make a better case against Bitcoin? What should be done with an old annuity? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!
Dec. 28, 2023

Retirement Relocation

Retirement can mean gaining the freedom to live anywhere you want. Tom and Don consider the best and worst states for retirees, based on multiple criteria, from two different sources. One of the worst may surprise you. Plus, we answer your questions: How will some short-term, extra income effect Medicare costs? If a major recession occurs, would it make sense to use emergency money to "buy the dip?" Is it better to have multiple brokerage accounts? Is there any way to speed up the distribution o...
Dec. 27, 2023

A Christmas Dog Story

This episode was recorded on December 23, 2023. Just before going on the air, Don's wife told him about a lost dog found 3,000 miles from his Washington state home. The outpouring of offers to help was soul-stirring. Later, we talked about the foolishness of following the hottest parts of the markets and why annuities are one of the best selling "investments." Plus, we took listeners questions: What are the best funds for a simple portfolio? Is Morningstar a good source of investing informa...
Dec. 26, 2023

Investing Realities

We return from our holiday hiatus with quiz: Which is an investing fact and which is a money myth? Plus, a listener want to know: What can be done with a brokerage firm that refuses to let go of funds? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!
Dec. 21, 2023

The Great Fund Debate

We revisit the "active vs. passive" debate. We thought this debate had been settled, yet many still invest with active money managers. Then, we hear from listeners: Objectively, why do we hate Bitcoin? How should an elderly mother invest for heirs? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!
Dec. 20, 2023

Fastest Home Fill-Ups

Where in the country has home equity risen most and least? What can you do to tap that hidden wealth? Does a HELOC or reverse mortgage make sense? Does owning a house even make sense in this economy? Then, we hear from listeners: Should a fiduciary advisor also act as a financial "psychologist?" Does it make sense to borrow home equity and lend it to a friend in construction? Should he stick with his aggressive "advisor?" How can renting be less expensive than buying a home? What's the differenc...
Dec. 19, 2023

Wait… Stocks Have Risen?

Don finally peeked at his brokerage statement and was pleasantly surprised. His portfolio finally made money. Did yours? We talk about the investment markets' ups (and downs) and finding the right balance between safety and potential return. We also share the states with the best and worst home equity appreciation. How can you tap that hidden wealth? Then, we hear from callers asking: What should be done with an old variable annuity in a 403b? How should an end-of-year backdoor Roth be done? Can...
Dec. 18, 2023

Start Investing Sooner

In this episode, we talk about some of the steps you should take well before retirement to get your financial house in order. We discuss money-saving tips and investing ideas to help those in their younger years improve their odds of retiring comfortably. Plus, we answer your questions: How can I force myself to rebalance my portfolio when my emotions get in the way? Which is better: a bond fund or a CD ladder? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? C...
Dec. 15, 2023

Pre-Christmas Question Day

The questions may not be festive, but they're important, and Don answers them: How should assets be allocated across different types of accounts? What happens to the money in a 529 plan if the custodian needs to withdraw some? How should a young adult invest money from an inherited IRA? Can brokers' cash management accounts replace traditional bank accounts? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!
Dec. 14, 2023

When Managers Go Away

Another problem with actively managed mutual funds is the mortality of managers. What happens if you rely on the incredibly rare, super-smart, practically prescient money manager, and they go away? Plus, we hear from listeners: What do we think of Vanguard's variable insurance funds? Does a 100% equity portfolio make sense for someone comfortable with risk? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!
Dec. 13, 2023

Real Investing is Hard

A new academic study concludes that you might be better off avoiding bonds. Tom and Don discuss whether a strategy that potentially risky makes sense for you. We discuss the sorry state of most investing advice, including that from financial psychics. Then, we hear from listeners: Is gold a good investment? What do we think of the "investment" advice provided at a free Italian dinner? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!
Dec. 12, 2023

Stop Hurting Yourself

We keep making damaging financial mistakes. Are you ready to manage your money better and actually invest? We hear from listeners: Can iBonds be transferred to others? What's the best way to set up a 529 ABLE plan Is tax loss selling a bit like market timing? What's the best way to sell appreciated stocks to reduce taxes? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!
Dec. 11, 2023

Bitcoin and Gold Heat Up

The price of both Bitcoin and gold have soared recently. Has anything changed that might make them attractive investments? Plus, there is more evidence that those who chase returns using mutual funds fail to beat those who buy and hold. We also help listeners: Better understand a Nuveen muni bond fund they own. Create a tax minimization plan for retirement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!
Dec. 8, 2023

Cool Days Q&A

After Don grumbles about the length of the holiday season, he goes on to answer listeners questions: Does it make sense to use a 529 Plan to make future Roth IRAs for grandkids? Is the 4.7% interest from Vanguard new Cash Plus account better than a high yield savings account? Does an allocation entirely too small cap stocks make sense? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!
Dec. 7, 2023

Avoiding Bad Advice

Investing "professionals" run the gamut from highly skilled and honest to truly dangerous. How can you avoid the mediocre to crooked financial advice providers out there? Tom and Don have some simple ways to protect your wealth from the unscrupulous. Plus, listeners ask: What is the name of the bank paying over 4%? How should money be allocated between taxable and tax-advantaged "baskets?" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!
Dec. 6, 2023

Unexpected Taxable Events

The end of the year often brings mutual fund investors an unpleasant surprise that can raise taxes; the realized capital gains distribution. How can you avoid this tax surprise? Are traditional mutual funds headed for extinction? Dimensional Funds rolls out a total market ETF to compete with Avantis. Then, listeners ask: How can the Washington state estate tax be avoided? Do they have enough to live a confortable and enjoyable retirement? How do you find a financial advisor you can trust? Learn ...
Dec. 5, 2023

Lifelong Income Strategies

What's the best way to create a retirement income stream from your investment portfolio. Today, Tom and Don share four popular income strategies. Then, we hear from you (actually, a few of you): Does it make sense to sell Apple stock to pay off a HELOC (home equity line of credit) early? What is the best way to invest an inheritance? How does money have to be withdrawn from a non-spousal inherited IRA? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!
Dec. 4, 2023

Pensions Staging Comeback?

Once thought to be nearly extinct (except for government workers), some major employers are bringing back the old fashioned pension plan. Does the apparent certainty of a pension make it a better retirement option than defined contribution plans, like 401k and 403b Plans? Plus, listeners ask: Should the proceeds from the sale of an investment property be moved into a DST (Delaware Statutory Trust)? Should a regular mutual fund be sold and an ETF purchased instead? Learn more about your ad choice...
Dec. 1, 2023

A Lot of Questions

In todays's Q&A session: Which funds should be used in a 403b? Thanks for the podcast. How much of fixed income should be in inflation hedges? How could a mom squeeze a bit more income out of her portfolio? Did it makes sense to sell bond funds and move into T-Bills? Is an umbrella liability insurance policy needed? How should a million dollar portfolio be invested? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!