Talking Real Money - Investing Talk

This Friday Q&A tackles a familiar voice: Bitcoin Bob tries again to make the case for crypto as protection against currency debasement. Don breaks down what “debasement” actually means, why inflation gradually reduces purchasing power, and why Bitcoin’s extreme volatility makes it a poor replacement for the U.S. dollar. Productive assets remain the historically reliable hedge. Then: a comparison of target-date funds vs. a DIY three-fund portfolio, guidance for a couple aiming for early retirement with multi-account withdrawal planning, a discussion of equity/bond allocation in personal portfolios, and what might happen to the small China exposure inside global funds if geopolitical tensions escalated into war. 0:04 Friday Q&A intro and request for more listener questions 1:33 Bitcoin Bob returns: what “currency debasement” means 4:34 Bitcoin vs. the dollar: volatility and why stability matters 6:59 The real hedge: productive global assets over speculative tokens 8:29 Target-date funds vs. a three-fund portfolio in retirement 10:32 Asset allocation control vs. glide path defaults 11:20 Early retirement scenario: withdrawal sequencing, 72(t), and risk tolerance 14:55 When to add bonds and why emotional behavior matters 16:00 Don’s and Tom’s current equity/bond allocations 17:07 If the U.S. and China went to war: what happens to VT’s China exposure? 20:26 Why global diversification limits catastrophic loss Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don and Tom take listeners on a wild ride through the booming (and frequently disastrous) world of leveraged ETFs. They break down how these funds promise double or triple the excitement but mathematically bleed away returns through volatility decay. A few listener questions follow, covering retirement cash buffers, negotiating advisory fees on large portfolios, and comparing IRTR vs AOM for a near-retiree allocation. Humor, subtle self-mockery, a Jonas Brothers detour, and a reminder that gambling is not investing. 0:04 Opening banter and the thrill-seeker pitch for leveraged ETFs 1:29 Leveraged single-stock ETFs explode from zero to $40B 3:26 MicroStrategy example: stock up ~30%, 2x ETF down ~65% 5:03 How volatility decay quietly destroys leveraged returns 7:36 5x ETFs and the “go to zero in one day” problem 9:01 When leverage stops being “investing” and starts being gambling 11:38 Listener question: Should retirees hold a bigger cash buffer to avoid selling in downturns? 14:37 Listener question: Should a $4M managed client negotiate fees? (Yes.) 17:43 IRTR vs AOM comparison for someone three years from retirement 22:54 Seasonal weather rant and hunkering down for productivity Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don and Tom tackle the universal truths of investing — namely, that most investors underperform the market due to their own behavior. They discuss the persistence of emotional decision-making, the dangers of market timing, and the importance of diversification and sticking to a plan. Listener calls cover UGMA accounts, bond allocation in IRAs, downsizing for assisted living, robo-investing, annuities, and advisor ethics. The show mixes data-driven insight with classic Real Money humor and real-world financial guidance. 0:04 Universal truths of investing and investor behavior 2:07 Why investors underperform their own funds (Morningstar “Mind the Gap”) 3:30 Market sentiment, cash levels, and memories of 2000 and 2008 4:31 Peter Lynch on market corrections and investor overconfidence 5:40 The danger of timing the market and trusting stocks too much 6:40 “Financial Flinch Reflex” parody PSA (Appella Wealth ad) 7:41 Listener: diversifying a Vanguard UGMA for grandson’s education 12:14 Listener: TSP rollover, age-based bond allocation, and risk tolerance 14:40 The right asset mix for long-term investors in their 40s 15:48 Listener: selling condo for assisted living — planning for late-life care 18:45 Spending vs. inheritance — why it’s okay to use your own money 20:27 Producer’s question: is SoFi robo-investing safe for beginners? 22:56 Emergency funds vs. long-term investing; debt priorities 26:03 Listener: spouse investing in individual stocks — handling differences 28:32 Listener: total market vs. S&P 500 core fund; AVGE and DFAW explained 30:17 Listener: 8% annuity “crediting rate” myth and why it’s misleading 35:42 Real internal rate of return on annuities and risk comfort 37:12 Listener: following advisor from Ameriprise to a bank — fiduciary warning 39:36 Why commissioned products persist and how fiduciary rules differ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don and Tom tackle the timeless question: why do you invest? They challenge the “TINA” mindset (“There Is No Alternative”) and dissect new research claiming retirement savers should own no bonds at all. They argue that while stocks outperform over long stretches, bonds remain essential for emotional stability and survival during market crashes. Listeners join in with sharp questions about CD ladder withdrawal strategies, crypto-based dividend schemes, securities lending, and international ETF allocation. The show wraps with a skeptical look at Vanguard’s growing tilt toward active management and new global funds from Avantis. 0:04 Why do you invest? Defining purpose versus chasing returns 1:29 The rise of “TINA investing” — there is no alternative to stocks? 2:30 Bonds as shock absorbers when markets collapse 3:57 Questioning global overweights in new stock research 5:01 The emotional toll of chasing maximum returns 6:12 Bonds’ true role: keeping investors calm and consistent 7:50 Zweig’s conclusion — even he still owns bonds 9:06 Retirement timing risk and the case for diversification 10:29 Caller Jay from Georgia — testing a five-year CD ladder withdrawal plan 12:34 Turning the CD ladder into part of a bond portfolio 13:46 What to do with the ladder during a market downturn 14:47 Caller Jason from Washington — Elon Musk, Bitcoin, and the “Strike/Strive” gimmick 15:49 The math behind high-yield crypto preferreds doesn’t add up 17:18 When hype meets hazard: Ponzi parallels in risky yields 18:57 Why “everyone’s doing it” isn’t a defense for bad strategy 20:04 Why MicroStrategy’s dividend promises defy logic 21:15 Listener question — securities lending in IRAs 23:09 How stock lending actually works (and why it barely pays) 24:18 Why most small investors shouldn’t bother 27:15 Vanguard’s new identity crisis: the push into active management 27:47 The profitability problem of index funds 28:53 Can Vanguard’s active funds really beat their benchmarks? 31:48 Why past performance still fails as a predictor 33:14 Vanguard’s crypto flirtation and industry pandering 35:43 Caller Craig from Seattle — expanding global exposure with AVNV 36:32 The case for adding Avantis International Value ETF 37:46 Early results and long-term expectations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don and Tom unpack why even smart, financially literate people sometimes need a financial advisor — prompted by Morningstar’s Christine Benz explaining why she hires one. They explore the value of second opinions, professional organization, tax guidance, spending permission, and succession planning. The conversation also draws lines around who doesn’t need an advisor (DIY investors under 50 with good discipline) versus who does (retirees, disorganized investors, and anyone over 65 facing complexity). Later, they tackle listener questions about small-cap value ETFs — comparing AVUV, DFSV, and SLYV — and close with a retirement scenario review for a disciplined 77-year-old federal retiree. A lighthearted finish touches on long-term care insurance, empty nesting, and the Raiders’ black hole stadium. 0:04 Reintroducing the need for financial help (but not that kind of help) 1:17 Christine Benz’s surprising admission: she has a financial planner 2:27 The value of a “responsible second opinion” 3:25 Why Benz says peace of mind has real value 3:50 Reasons to hire an advisor: second opinions, tax guidance, rebalancing, perspective 4:54 When hourly financial advice makes sense 6:38 Organization and accountability as hidden benefits 8:08 The disinterested spouse problem 8:40 Why succession planning matters more than you think 9:32 “Permission to spend” — an underrated role of advisors 10:19 Who doesn’t need an advisor: young savers and disciplined investors 11:27 When to get a second opinion even if you’re DIY 12:18 Spotting bad advice and hidden annuities 13:03 Who does need an advisor: hodgepodge portfolios and over-50 investors 14:09 Complexity and the need for help beyond 65 14:47 The problem of small investors being preyed upon by salespeople 15:52 Listener question: adding small-cap value exposure 16:47 Comparing AVUV, DFSV, and SLYV performance and structure 19:00 Expense ratios and diversification differences 20:18 Don and Tom’s ETF verdict 21:10 Retirement checkup: 77-year-old with pension and LTC coverage 22:06 Evaluating liquidity, income, and survivorship 23:48 The vanishing quality of long-term care policies 24:56 Tom’s empty-nest plans and aching knee 25:43 Raiders jokes and the black-painted stadium Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don answers a range of listener questions covering topics from Fidelity’s fully paid lending program to the Roth 401(k) decision and mortgage payoff strategies. He explains why stock lending rarely adds much value for ETF investors, why paying off a 2.6 percent mortgage makes little financial sense, and why even Berkshire Hathaway isn’t a substitute for true diversification. Listeners also learn about HSA payroll tax savings and how to build Roth flexibility without triggering the pro-rata rule. 0:04 Friday Q&A intro and listener invitation 1:25 Fidelity’s fully paid lending program explained—small returns, limited upside 3:47 When stock lending might make sense for rare or hard-to-borrow shares 4:33 Mortgage payoff debate—2.6% rate vs. 7% investing return 5:30 Don confirms: investing wins, emotion aside 7:09 Caller argues for Berkshire Hathaway B as the “perfect” one-stock portfolio 9:14 Don dismantles the myth—Buffett’s own warnings, risk concentration 11:23 401(k) vs. Roth 401(k)—how to decide and why a plan matters 14:04 Backdoor Roth options for self-employed spouses 15:32 Importance of long-term planning once portfolios near $1 million 15:56 HSA payroll advantage—no Social Security tax on contributions 17:11 Using a Roth to store “extra mortgage” money until retirement 18:08 Why paying off a low-rate mortgage later may not make sense 19:37 Free fiduciary portfolio checkup offer from Apella Wealth Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don and Tom open with an honest reflection on market déjà vu—how today’s investing climate echoes the speculative excesses of 1929 and 2008. Citing Andrew Ross Sorkin’s new book 1929: Inside the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History, they discuss the modern “financialization” wave: private equity, venture capital, crypto, and private credit being repackaged for retail investors and even 401(k)s, often under looser regulation. They warn listeners about “mark to make-believe” valuations and Wall Street’s relentless drive to sell complexity to the masses. The conversation moves from cautionary history (leveraged trusts of 1929, margin loans, and subprime mortgages) to present-day parallels like Bitcoin ETFs and private-market tokens. The takeaway: avoid opaque, speculative products; stick with transparent, low-cost diversification. In the Q&A, they answer listener questions about simplifying global portfolios with VT vs. VTI/VXUS, and about selling or donating concentrated stock positions from employee plans. 0:04 Opening disclaimers and acknowledgment that the episode isn’t meant to scare investors 1:18 Historical parallels—1929, 1987, 2008—and the feeling of “market déjà vu” 2:10 Introducing Andrew Ross Sorkin’s new book 1929 and his NYT column on modern speculation 3:20 Financialization and the loosening of investor protections in the 2020s 4:33 Wall Street’s constant invention of confusing products that favor sellers 4:58 Robinhood’s Vlad Tenev and the illusion of democratizing risk 6:12 Lowering the barriers to private markets and what that means for investors 7:26 Echoes of 1929: leveraged ETFs, margin-like structures, and “Russian-doll” debt 8:29 The perils of leverage and speed of modern market declines 9:02 Private-market tokens and the “mark-to-make-believe” problem 10:25 Overvaluation, lack of liquidity, and Wall Street’s interest in 401(k) assets 11:41 Historical leverage shifts—from banks to private credit 12:58 Why trusting financial “authorities” can be dangerous 13:32 Emotional honesty: people lie, and investors must self-protect 14:42 Jealousy, lottery-thinking, and envy as behavioral pitfalls 15:36 Investing as elimination—avoid what’s complex, costly, or confusing 16:48 Listener Q&A: two-fund simplicity (VT + BND) vs. multi-ETF tinkering 18:38 The temptation to overweight U.S. equities 20:00 Contrarian case for international exposure (VXUS) 21:15 ESPP stock cleanup: when to sell concentrated holdings 22:44 Charitable giving of appreciated stock for tax efficiency Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don and Tom go after one of their favorite targets: bad actors in the financial industry—especially those who flee regulation by becoming insurance salesmen. They break down a shocking new study showing that 98% of brokers kicked out by FINRA stay in the business by selling annuities and other insurance products, often with little oversight. The duo compares this behavior to “cockroaches,” slamming state insurance commissions for weak enforcement and minimal fines. Later, they tackle Washington State’s ballot measure SR 8201 on investing long-term care funds, answer listener questions about 529 plans versus UTMAs, discuss 457 plan costs and fund choices, and close with a fun chat about Halloween chaos and coffee and cocoa prices. 0:04 Opening rant on misbehavior in the financial industry and the perils of “bad advisors.” 1:03 How fired brokers reappear as insurance salesmen—98% stay in the industry. 3:10 Why state insurance oversight is toothless and how low the penalties really are. 5:14 Insurance firms masquerading as planners—why fiduciary-only advisors matter. 6:03 The study’s “cockroach” comparison and why the problem persists. 7:37 How to vet your advisor using FINRA’s BrokerCheck and state insurance lookups. 9:16 State vs. federal regulation—why the insurance lobby spent $200 million to avoid SEC oversight. 11:08 Caller Beth from Washington asks about SR 8201—investing long-term care funds in stocks. 13:27 The fiduciary perspective: diversification and realistic expectations. 15:23 Caller Gene from Puyallup on 529 plans vs. UTMAs for grandkids. 17:55 Tax control, gift rules, and the best state 529 options. 19:20 Holiday gifting and a little banter about who’s on Tom’s “nice list.” 20:22 Halloween costumes, tourists, and Celebration, Florida trick-or-treat madness. 23:28 Behind the scenes: Don reveals the entire “Talking Real Money” production staff (himself). 24:32 Podcast email list plug—how to subscribe at TalkingRealMoney.com. 25:35 Explaining podcasts for the AM radio crowd—how to find Talking Real Money on your phone. 27:30 Listener question from Matthew in Illinois about 457 plan costs and hidden fees. 30:38 The truth about 457s, penalties, and why Schwab’s low-cost ETFs may be smarter. 32:34 Caller Rob from Bellevue discusses attending RetireMeet and noticing the Apella building. 33:18 Wrapping with cocoa and coffee futures—good news for chocolate, bad for espresso lovers. 37:49 Don plugs Litreading’s Scary Story Season before switching to Christmas stories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don and Tom tackle the timeless topic of diversification — why it’s back in style, why it’s so hard to maintain, and why most investors (and pros) still get it wrong. They walk through how market “leadership” shifts over decades, the global vs. U.S. split, and why comparing your portfolio to the S&P 500 is often a trap. Listener questions cover ETF access at T. Rowe Price and Vanguard, whether to invest or pay down debt, and how the 5% flexible withdrawal rule works in early retirement. Plus, the guys riff on Halloween candy inflation, Social Security COLA bumps, and Don’s LitReading “Scary Story Season.” 0:04 Show open — Saturday radio edition and why repetition matters in financial education 1:03 The fashion of diversification — and why it’s “back in style” 2:27 International and small-cap value resurgence 3:15 Why investors chase past returns instead of diversifying 4:02 Gold, inflation, and recency bias — lessons from the 1980s 5:21 U.S. vs. international allocation debate: market cap vs. 50/50 6:20 The long wait for Japan’s market recovery 7:41 Practical diversification tools — AVGE, DFAW, VT 8:19 Stop comparing everything to the S&P 500 9:08 Historical proof: global portfolio vs. S&P since 1931 10:02 Caller Charlie — buying Avantis or DFA ETFs through T. Rowe Price or Vanguard 12:39 How fund custodians differ from managers 13:27 Checking portfolio exposure with Morningstar 14:42 Caller Gabe — invest or pay off debt? 16:45 When to pay off a car loan vs. mortgage 19:35 How to handle multiple mortgages and long-term plans 20:22 Social Security’s 2026 COLA bump and the “good news/bad news” of $102 more a month 22:21 Inflation realities — coffee, beef, and Halloween candy 25:02 Candy talk — shrinkflation and Don’s trick-or-treat haul 25:54 LitReading plug: “Scary Story Season” and Philip K. Dick’s The Hanging Man 27:34 Search “Don McDonald” in Apple Podcasts — chiropractor cameo included 29:05 Listener Victor (a.k.a. George) — can $4 million last 60 years with 5% withdrawals? 31:38 How the flexible withdrawal method works in practice 33:49 Retirement purpose, Monte Carlo results, and FIRE skepticism 37:41 Kindleberger quote on bubbles and envy: “There’s nothing so disturbing as to see a friend get rich.” 38:55 Kindleberger’s background and Manias, Panics, and Crashes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tom Cock and Apella Wealth advisor Roxy Butner team up for a lively listener Q&A episode covering everything from the new wave of penny-stock IPOs to retirement readiness and tax traps. Tom opens with a warning about the surge in risky penny-stock offerings, then the two dive into listener questions about annuity sales pressure at Fidelity, portfolio diversification mistakes, CD taxation myths, Roth conversions, and one standout 21-year-old listener getting her financial life off to a stellar start. 0:05 Tom opens with a warning about the explosion in penny-stock IPOs 1:26 Why “lottery-ticket” stocks nearly always burn investors 2:21 Diversify, stay tax-efficient, and skip the hype 2:30 Roxy joins for listener Q&A 3:38 Fidelity’s annuity pitch — a listener wonders if it’s time to leave 5:05 Who’s truly fiduciary: Fidelity vs. Vanguard vs. Apella 6:14 Vanguard dipping a toe into crypto 6:51 Quabina from Ohio: $2.2M at 47 — diversified enough to retire at 55? 8:14 Missing global diversification and bonds in an all-U.S. portfolio 9:57 Early-retirement planning challenges and healthcare costs 10:20 How to design the right stock-bond-international mix 11:36 Daniel from California: Are long CDs taxed as capital gains? 13:04 Why CD interest is always ordinary income — and muni bond alternatives 13:29 Year-end planning: RMDs, Roth conversions, and tax optimization 14:45 Common tax mistakes and mis-placed assets 15:19 Emily from Ohio: “Young and Dumb” — a 21-year-old investing the smart way 18:51 Building a first Roth IRA and why bonds don’t belong yet 20:00 One-fund simplicity: AVGE vs. VOO 21:41 Long-term mindset: global diversification and patience pay off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don and Tom tackle another full “Q Day,” answering listener questions on Roth fund selection, bond fund gimmicks, real estate returns, California’s odd HSA tax treatment, switching from Vanguard to Avantis, copying politician trades, and whether Vanguard’s Cash Plus account beats its money market fund. The episode mixes practical investing logic with humor, skepticism, and a bit of Don’s plug for his new storytelling podcast, New Tales Told. 0:04 Q Day begins — Don riffs on “Q” words and high-quality listener audio 1:42 Betsy from Minnesota asks: best funds for a Roth IRA (AVUV, VOO, AVGE) 2:39 Don suggests simplifying to AVGE, but warns of risk and emotional resilience 4:12 Jesse from Seattle on CPAG “tax-efficient” bond ETF — Don calls it a gimmick 5:55 Don’s math: CPAG only helps slightly at 35% tax bracket, not worth complexity 9:06 Listener compares 403(b) vs. home value growth — Don confirms results typical 12:45 Real estate’s weak real return over time and lifestyle vs. investment value 12:45 California HSA confusion — Don explains CA taxes HSAs like normal accounts 15:22 Nathan from Georgia: Vanguard vs. Avantis funds, and “copy politician trades” 17:20 Don: Avantis adds small/value tilt, AVGE can simplify portfolio management 19:14 Don: “copy-trade” apps are expensive, delayed, and silly gimmicks 20:58 James from Virginia: Vanguard Cash Plus vs. money market funds 22:34 Don explains FDIC difference and risk-reward tradeoff, prefers money market 24:11 Closing reflections, legacy talk, and plug for New Tales Told Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don and Tom revisit the Social Security debate after new Wall Street Journal and New York Times articles challenge long-standing advice to delay claiming. They dismantle clickbait claims that “waiting doesn’t make sense,” highlighting emotional biases, unrealistic investment assumptions, and spousal benefit considerations. The episode also covers whether Social Security counts as an asset, then shifts to listener questions about 529-to-Roth rollovers for graduate school, switching funds in an IRA, and managing company stock in an ESOP-based 401(k). 0:00 Why they keep returning to Social Security and why 25% of retirees rely on it entirely 1:43 Two-thirds claim before full retirement age; Wall Street Journal’s clickbait headline 3:02 The “bird in hand” fallacy and instant-gratification bias 3:48 Don’s confession: took Social Security at 69—and dogs ruined the travel plans 4:40 WSJ’s faulty 5%-return argument and why most investors won’t achieve it 5:43 The math: waiting pays more monthly, but longevity is the unknown 6:32 Trade-offs between retiring early, portfolio drawdowns, and spousal benefits 7:35 NYT’s claim that Social Security is America’s most valuable “asset” 8:08 Don’s rebuttal: it’s income, not an asset—you can’t liquidate it 9:49 Why people misclassify Social Security and how bonds fit differently 10:08 When and how to get a second (fiduciary) opinion on claiming strategies 11:00 The plague of commission-driven “advisors” and fake fiduciaries 12:29 Old brokerage “no-load fund” lies and how similar games persist today 12:40 Listener Q&A: overfunded 529 plan vs. Roth rollover for grad school 14:27 Midwifery degrees, student-loan math, and the 5% rate cutoff 17:13 Rollover IRA question: switching Fidelity funds to Vanguard ETFs 18:15 Active vs. index funds—why fees and diversification matter 20:05 Active-active management and small-cap risk humor 20:54 ESOP question: how much company stock is too much? (Hint: under 5%) 22:42 Selling discipline and diversification in employee-owned firms 24:39 Don and Tom joke about their own ownership and “sell-out” strategy 25:04 Daily calls, good-natured ribbing, and reminders about Saturday’s live show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don and Tom dive into common misconceptions about what’s really been the top-performing asset class over the past five years—spoiler: it’s not the S&P 500. They compare U.S. large-cap growth with international small-cap value, using Larry Swedroe’s data to highlight the importance of global diversification. Listeners call in about estate planning, withdrawal rates in retirement, and portfolio construction. The hosts explain community property rules, flexible withdrawal strategies backed by research, and which small-cap value ETFs they prefer. The episode closes with a reality check on Bitcoin’s latest crash, revisiting Mark Hulbert’s warning that crypto isn’t an asset class but a risky “thingy.” 0:04 Opening banter on the show’s long Seattle run and mission to simplify money. 2:08 The S&P 500 obsession—why investors overweight large U.S. growth stocks. 3:23 Larry Swedroe’s quiz: best-performing asset class 2019–2025 (hint: it’s not U.S. large growth). 4:07 Dimensional International Small Cap Value Fund (DISVX) vs. S&P 500 Growth (VOOG). 5:20 Why diversification and global exposure matter long-term. 6:20 Break: “Financial Flinch Reflex” PSA. 7:42 Diversification means holding assets that sometimes disappoint you. 8:33 Don’s marriage analogy and listener call-in from Baltimore about trusts. 10:15 Estate simplicity, beneficiary designations, and when trusts are unnecessary. 11:55 The danger of “trust mills” and the value of family transparency. 14:40 Community property vs. joint tenancy—Washington’s unique tax advantage. 16:36 Call from Michael: flexible vs. fixed withdrawal rates in retirement. 17:29 Why a 5% flexible withdrawal often beats the classic 4% rule. 20:19 Research roundup: Kitsis, Vanguard, Morningstar confirm flexible success rates. 23:09 Listener from Tennessee asks about capital-gains exclusions. 25:44 Chris from Seattle: using target-date funds to fix a “hodge-podge” portfolio. 27:24 Adding small-cap value (AVUV) to target-date funds for tilt and simplicity. 28:34 Listener from New Hampshire asks which planning software Appella Wealth uses. 30:06 Call from Sam: best small-cap value ETF options (AVUV vs. VBR). 33:21 Risk, volatility, and why small-cap value offers higher expected returns. 35:47 Mark Hulbert on crypto’s crash—bigger than 1929 by percentage. 36:54 Why hype, not utility, drives crypto coverage. 38:36 Final takeaway: investors remain too U.S.-centric; diversify globally. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don and Tom kick off by joking about their “record-breaking” call drought before diving headlong into the week’s biggest speculative loser: crypto. The duo dismantle the mythology around Bitcoin and its countless imitators, comparing the excitement of trading coins to sports betting and reminding listeners that portfolios are for investing, not gambling. They tie the current crypto crash to leverage, insider-like trades, and the same fraud patterns seen in history’s great financial cons—from Jay Gould’s gold-cornering to Elizabeth Holmes’ blood-testing farce. Later, they field listener questions on asset location, liquidity management, emerging-market exposure, and the danger of leverage via MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin bet. Through it all, they emphasize fiduciary discipline, skepticism toward hype, and the basic rule: excitement and good investing rarely mix. 0:04 Pretending last Saturday’s show didn’t happen; Tom’s pun about “Pacific” questions. 1:41 Crypto crash carnage—Bitcoin off 16%, Ethereum down 25%, “Trump Coin” collapsing. 2:30 Comparing crypto’s thrill-seeking crowd to sports betting mania. 3:55 Why your financial advisor should not be your gambling coach. 4:48 The leveraged, insider-ish side of crypto speculation. 5:06 The absurdity of 10,000+ coins that serve no purpose but gambling. 7:40 Calling crypto “speculative” and comparing it to a casino roller coaster. 8:10 Binance payout trouble—proof many players don’t know how to run big-money businesses. 10:32 MicroStrategy’s leveraged Bitcoin plunge and the perils of margin. 11:37 The illusion of “value” in digital tokens versus productive assets. 12:55 Historical echo: borrowed money, bubbles, and 1929-style leverage warnings. 15:25 Listener questions segment opens; lighthearted banter about philately and call volume. 17:02 “ChatGPT beats bad advisors” — asset location done right (bonds in IRA, stocks in Roth). 18:30 Why most “advisors” ignore tax planning in favor of commissions. 20:23 Jay Gould, robber barons, and the Wall Street Journal’s bizarre defense of con artists. 22:12 From Nikola to Theranos—lying as business strategy and why “gray areas” hurt investors. 24:53 The moral cost of tolerating fraud disguised as innovation. 26:36 Why trust is the real foundation of capitalism, not creative deception. 27:00 How to protect yourself: fee-only fiduciary advice and due diligence. 27:36 Mariners hangover theory for low call volume; nostalgic TV banter (“Bewitched”). 29:06 Caller Tom (Seattle): $4 M portfolio, $1 M in money market—how much liquidity is too much? 30:34 The hidden risk of waiting too long to react when rates fall. 33:08 Building a CD ladder to lock yield without betting on one-day rates. 34:25 Quick take: Why they’d avoid owning Boeing stock individually. 36:18 Caller Justin (Florida): emerging-market allocation for high-risk investors. 37:29 Case for small-cap and value tilts, including emerging markets. 38:34 Should you exclude China? Why it’s still essential in global portfolios. 39:29 Closing reminders—use the website for questions, and find fiduciary help at TalkingRealMoney.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don and Tom tackle a mix of market mania and listener questions, skewering speculative fads like meme stocks, SPACs, private credit ETFs, and covered-call funds. Don opens with a scam text story before the duo dive into the absurdity of “get-rich” products during a record-breaking market. They stress discipline, diversification, and turning off CNBC — repeatedly. Listener questions include Roth conversions in high tax brackets and funding a home purchase without wrecking retirement plans. The show ends on a hilarious tangent about listeners wearing backpack banners to promote Talking Real Money. 0:04 Scam text from Colorado and the hazards of living alone in a studio 1:09 Market highs and the illusion of perfect timing 2:35 Stock concentration, meme stock mania, and the “Magnificent Seven” dominance 3:34 Listener call: investing in a soccer team partnership promising 15–30% returns 5:12 Why “too good to be true” often is — scams and speculative traps 6:09 Covered-call ETFs (JEPI, GPIQ) explained and debunked 9:39 New private credit ETF (PCR): high fees, low transparency, huge risk 12:49 CNBC hype vs. reality — why turning off financial TV is sound advice 16:21 Listener question: Roth conversions and tax traps in the 30% bracket 19:26 Another listener: funding a new home without derailing retirement 21:47 Don’s rant on overpricing homes — “every house sells at the right price” 23:24 Real estate emotion vs. math — the price always tells the truth 24:31 Episode wrap-up: humor, gratitude, and an absurd “wearable banner” promo idea Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don answers six listener questions covering CD ladders vs. bond funds, global diversification for young investors, allocation shifts for early retirees, HSA documentation rules, 529 plan comparisons, and whether Dave Ramsey-style portfolios need bonds. He closes with practical guidance on holding cash for opportunities and a reminder about the value of disciplined, evidence-based investing. 0:10 Friday Q&A intro and how to send in questions 1:51 Are CD ladders a good replacement for bond funds? 3:37 How to build a disciplined CD ladder and avoid rate-timing mistakes 3:41 A father asks how to diversify his daughter’s Roth IRA beyond VTI 5:48 Couple planning early retirement—asset allocation and 72(t) options 9:41 Why bonds exist: emotional stability vs. return chasing 11:29 The case for international diversification 11:29 Long-term HSA strategy and what to do without old receipts 14:32 How to recreate expense records and save PDFs going forward 15:26 Which 529 plans are best for kids aged 2–12? (Utah vs. Schwab) 17:28 Dave Ramsey investing myths and the real purpose of bonds 20:36 When to start adding bonds—take the Talking Real Money risk quiz 21:00 Where to park six-figure cash for car or property purchases 22:46 Short-term safety vs. yield trade-off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don swats a studio bug, then swats down the idea of dividend-driven retirement portfolios. Drawing on Jason Zweig’s interview with Richard Thaler, they explain why retirees should focus on total return—spending from a diversified portfolio rather than chasing yield. They hit Robinhood’s profit model, bid-ask spreads, and the need for automatic-enrollment retirement plans. A listener call leads to a discussion of Social Security timing, debt-free retirement, and (yes) hodgepodge-itis—Don’s term for chaotic portfolios. Things wrap with a jailed investor’s question, some gallows humor, and the usual banter about holidays and compliance. 0:04 Bug chaos and phone-line reminder 1:41 Why dividend-income portfolios are a trap 2:50 Jason Zweig & Richard Thaler on total-return spending 4:18 Total return beats “high-dividend” illusions 5:39 Robinhood’s option-spread profits and the myth of “free” trading 6:15 Schwab vs. Robinhood: relative honesty in bid-ask spreads 7:43 Thaler’s take on missing retirement plans and automatic savings 9:05 Anniversary talk and the failed “Debbie Show” experiment 10:15 Back to Thaler—why most workers still lack plans 11:39 Tesla options example showing 7 percent spread 12:05 Case for national retirement depository & hybrid Social Security 13:33 Hodgepodge-itis defined (and owned by Don) 14:51 Low call volume and the Mariners’ hangover 15:52 Listener Kevin asks about dividends vs. selling stock 16:53 Reinvesting dividends vs. total-return withdrawals 18:17 Dividends reduce company growth potential 19:45 Why high-yield chasing kills diversification 20:07 Caller David, age 67, plans retirement & asks how to prep 21:55 Social Security timing advice—benefits rise monthly 22:50 David’s details: city pension, deferred comp, house, no debt 24:07 Getting professional fiduciary advice before retiring 25:23 David’s crypto confession and $3K Ripple gamble 27:27 Jail-bound investor asks where to park money 30:18 Don & Tom debate investing from behind bars (humor intact) 33:19 Columbus Day scheduling confusion & closing banter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don and Tom open with banter about the weather, baseball playoffs, and studio quirks before diving into what it means to be a “millionaire” today versus in 1890. They explore how much of modern net worth is illiquid, why home equity and retirement funds can trap wealth, and how planning for liquidity and income is crucial. The conversation transitions into a discussion of market volatility, rare earth trade tensions with China, and Brett Arends’ critique of index investing. They counter with historical perspective, humor (and potato chips), and advice about risk, rebalancing, and human behavior. Later, listener calls cover portfolio structure, Empower vs. Vanguard advisor options, and evaluating advisor fees and fund costs. The show closes with their classic blend of education, sarcasm, and fiduciary realism. 0:04 Opening banter, phone number, Florida “cold front,” and baseball chatter 2:33 Topic intro: What a million dollars means now vs. 1890 3:58 Comparing historic vs. modern millionaires and net worth equivalency 4:43 The illusion of wealth—why 70% of assets are often inaccessible 5:30 Planning for liquidity: why paying off a mortgage too early can backfire 6:37 Don’s retirement planning promo 7:39 Historical comparison: 1890s Gilded Age vs. today’s millionaire stats 8:19 Market globalization and modern wealth concentration 9:43 Rare earths and the U.S.–China tariff skirmish 10:22 Market check: stocks, bonds, and gold all dip; volatility talk 12:04 Don’s “unnamed thing” (Bitcoin) drops 10.5%; discussion on risk and rebalancing 13:48 Don shifts to 60/40 allocation—explains rationale near retirement 14:34 Brett Arends’ “Dumbest Stock Market in History” critique discussed 16:00 Debate: Are index investors stabilizing markets through consistency? 17:19 Potato chip tangent and investor psychology 18:32 Arends’ bearishness vs. evidence-based investing 20:00 Protecting your psyche, not every dollar, from market declines 20:20 Podcasting history—when Talking Real Money began 21:32 Caller Samir (Virginia): $4M net worth, suffering from “hodgepodge-itis” 24:15 Don and Tom’s prescription: stop investing until you have a plan 25:42 Margin loan temptation and why 10.5% interest kills the idea 27:00 Tom reinforces the need for a fiduciary planner 27:32 Caller Chris (Texas): moving from Empower to Vanguard PAS 29:21 Vanguard vs. Empower: conflicts, fund choices, and planning gaps 31:46 “Half-pregnant” advice models and Bogle’s legacy examined 34:20 Broader critique: single-provider risk and investor behavior 35:54 Caller Dave (Olympia): evaluating returns, fees, and portfolio costs 37:50 What’s a reasonable expense ratio and advisor fee range 39:24 Final takeaway: judge portfolios by structure, not short-term returns Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this playful and insightful episode, Don and Tom explore how the beloved Friends characters might fare financially if they were retiring today. Using their signature mix of humor and practical investing wisdom, they analyze each character’s fictional career, personality, and spending habits to project their retirement readiness. The second half of the show returns to real-world money matters, answering listener questions about blending withdrawal strategies and fund choices in employer retirement plans. 0:04 Why this episode starts with a Friends reference—and yes, it’s copyright-friendly 0:31 Monica and Chandler Bing as retirement savers: organized, driven, but maybe too perfectionist 3:25 Monica’s obsessive planning vs. Chandler’s possible risk aversion 4:22 Overthinking portfolios and the emotional toll of too much tweaking 5:01 Savers who struggle to spend: how Monica might hoard instead of enjoy 5:56 Chandler’s likely financial behavior and their combined million-plus portfolio 7:03 Ross: neurotic, divorced, and probably pension-supported 7:54 Why pensions are psychologically powerful for retirees 8:35 Ross would need an advisor to keep him calm and invested 9:14 Rachel: spender, low earner, fashion industry job—not retirement ready 10:30 Joey: the actor’s feast-or-famine finances and SAG-AFTRA pension potential 12:22 Real SAG-AFTRA pension expectations: modest but helpful 13:09 Joey’s likely retirement: modest income, limited comfort outside major cities 13:54 Phoebe: quirky, lovable… financially reckless? 14:28 Phoebe’s imaginary downfall: alimony, bad investing, busking in Times Square 15:20 Big picture takeaways: personality, income, and circumstance aren’t destiny—but they shape outcomes 16:48 The Bings win the retirement game… Phoebe’s husband probably doesn’t stay married 17:30 Listener Q1: Combining fixed and flexible withdrawal strategies 18:52 30-year portfolio simulation using 60/40 and AI tools 20:24 Hybrid strategy results: high survival rate, smoother ride, and growing payouts 21:21 Comparison of 4% vs. 5% withdrawal income over time 22:36 Listener Q2: Replacing expensive international funds in a union 401k plan 24:00 Replace EuroPacific and Developed with Fidelity’s low-cost international index fund 25:17 Expense ratio showdown: PigWX vs. FSPSX 26:32 Closing chaos: how to contact Tom and the long-lost newsletter phone number 27:49 Origins of 800-FUND-004 and how someone just walked into the Bellevue office 29:42 End credits and final laughs—yes, even Tom held back the dad jokes (mostly) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this extended Friday Q&A episode, Don answers six listener-submitted questions covering a wide range of personal finance and investing topics. He kicks off with a fiery takedown of cryptocurrency as a viable asset class, arguing it’s based on hype and the greater fool theory. Other questions explore whether pensions should count as fixed income in asset allocation, the performance of Dimensional and Avantis funds versus traditional index funds, the pros and cons of Collective Investment Trusts in 401(k)s, and the strategic timing of Social Security. He ends by clarifying a common misconception about RMDs and Secure Act 2.0. Expect smart insights, a little snark, and the kind of blunt honesty that’s rare in financial media. 0:04 Listener Q&A returns with an extra dose—six questions this time 1:07 Confusing podcast scheduling clarified (sort of) 2:11 Crypto as an asset class? Don calls it “entirely invented” and dismantles the use case hype 4:32 If civilization collapses, your Bitcoin won’t save you 6:06 Crypto = greater fool theory; Don braces for hate mail 7:30 Dimensional/Avantis vs. index funds—do the extra fees pay off? 9:13 A 15-year comparison: Dimensional Global Equity vs. VT 11:43 Should a pension count as fixed income? Don says no—it’s a volatility game, not income 15:48 CITs (Collective Investment Trusts) in 401(k)s—cheaper, but less transparent 18:58 Index funds should be your benchmark; Don suspects this one’s active 20:02 Claiming Social Security early to preserve Roth? Don says the math rarely supports it 23:59 Secure 2.0 and RMD confusion—born in 1959? You still take RMDs at 73, not 75 26:15 Tech keeps improving—Don urges retirees to stay sharp, stay curious Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices