Talking Real Money - Investing Talk

In this episodes, Don answers listeners questions about:3:15 Seeking a Fee-Only Fiduciary Advisor for Aging Parents6:24 Uncovering Red Flags in Financial Advisor Disclosures11:44 Evaluating the Dodge & Cox Income X Bond Fund12:46 Importance of Reading Form ADVs for Investment Advisory Firms18:17 The Aftermath of Removing Social Security19:11 Understanding Mutual Fund Return Reports21:24 Replacing Vanguard Bond Fund BND with Risky AlternativesLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

In this episode:1:16 Affinity Fraud in the Military3:54 Unveiling Investment Fraud in the Military11:57 Building Trust in Financial Relationships14:00 Maintaining Boundaries in Financial Relationships19:33 Trusting Third-Party Sources for Investment Information23:43 Retirement and Investment StrategiesLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Can a fiduciary fee-only advisor make you more money, even after expenses. Vanguard says, "yes!" We talk about some of their findings and more:3:53 Cost-Effective Implementation and Rebalancing 6:20 Financial Future and Advisor Second Opinions 7:16 Asset Location and Withdrawal Strategies9:00 Hodgepodge-itis and Portfolio Simplification11:57 The Vanguard Experience14:30 The Importance of Seeking Advice Early20:14 Backdoor Roth IRA Strategies26:15 Hodgepodge-itis Treatment and Financial Future 28:57 Morningstar Ratings Debunked31:51 Roth Conversions and Considerations35:10 Evaluating Investment Fees at Wells Fargo 36:31 Simplifying Portfolios with TSPLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

In this episode:0.54 America's Obsession with New Media and Gurus1:55 The GameStop Saga Begins2:43 Reddit's Influence on GameStop Stock3:33 Lessons from the GameStop Rollercoaster5:20 Seeking a Second Opinion in Investing6:19 The Stupidity in Following Stock Recommendations7:03 GameStop Stock: A Question of Valuation8:30 The Evolution of the Gaming Industry8:54 What to Learn from the GameStop Frenzy9:49 Investing vs. Speculation12:05 Vanguard's Fiduciary Advisors and Financial Decisions12:31 Importance of Getting a Second Opinion15:03 Adjusting Investment Strategy for Retirement15:31 Vanguard's Changes in Customer Service16:45 Questioning Vanguard's Decision-Making21:25 The Significance of Money in Your Life26:34 Addressing Hodgepodgeitis in Your Investment Portfolio27:34 Vanguard's Controversial Fee Changes34:02 Strategies for Protecting Equities After Hours36:46 The Remarkable Story of Dimensional Funds38:26 Platforms for Investing: Schwab vs. TD Ameritrade39:58 Resources and Information at TalkingRealMoney.com40:49 Important Disclaimer and Legal InformationLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

We don't often have guests, but we do, from time to time, invite some of the best minds in money management to join us. Author and financial educator, Dan Solin spends time with us this week to share some wisdom from his latest book, Wealthier: The Investing Field Guide for Millennials. We discuss buying a home versus renting, saving and investing for retirement, and the future of Social Security.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

On the week's question and answer session, Tom and Roxy take written questions from listeners about:Social Security spousal benefits.Moving Emergency CashShort-Term Cash OptionsPortfolio DiversificationAVGE vs. BND AllocationReal Estate Sales and Tax PlanningLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Was retirement really better in thge past? Have 401k plans been a retirement income benefit or detriment? Might there be a better way to insure a secure retirement income? We also explore the difference in long-term returns between large-cap and small-cap value stocks. Plus, we hear from listeners:Why does the actual income from I-Bonds not match the stated rate?Can income from a court settlement from a stock in an IRA be transferred into the IRA?Is it better to take retirement income from investments annually, monthly, or as needed?Looking for a quick portfolio review?Is it okay to start spending extra money in retirement?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Beware of complex investments or those promising to provide higher returns using some financial sleight-of-hand. Higher returns always require some sort of tradeoff. There are no special systems to game the markets, long-term. Then, we hear from listeners:He stayed in bonds and lost money, should he stick with them now?How can current assets be grown to enough to support retirement needs?Does it make sense to buy a second home on the beach?How should a very conservative retiree invest retirement funds?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Millions of people rely on Social Security for a large portion of their income, yet the system is running low on money and won't be able to meet future obligations without major changes. So, which is better, reducing benefits or raising taxes? Plus, we take listeners questions:What's the best way to reduce taxes on retirement plan distributions?What can be done to reduce hodgepodgery in a portfolio?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

In the episode, instead of discussing all of the bad financial decisions we make, let's take time to acknowledge all of the good things we do with money. Plus, we take questions on:The possible negative impact that passive investing might have on the stock markets.The potential tax ramifications of a portfolio.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

The questions have started pouring in again. Thanks! Today...Using High-yielding CLOs Instead of Bonds.Adjusting Portfolio for GrowthMaryland 529 Plan vs. Other OptionsMaximizing Growth for GrandchildrenUnderstanding Rebalancing in a 401kImplementing a Three-Bucket Account StrategyLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

The U.S. Labor Department is going to try again to hold some of those who provide advice on retirement assets to actually act in their clients' best interests. Will this new rule actually go into effect this time and who might it protect. Then we take your questions:What to we think of Keith Fitz-Gibbons investing advice?What's the best way to cover three years of expenses before collection Social Security?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

After years of diligently saving and investing a your retirement plans, what should you be doing when your accounts have grown to sizable amounts? Plus, we share the reasons for a small cap and value portfolio tilt. Plus, we hear from several listeners who ask:Why don't we talk more about 529 ABLE plans?What do we think of a portfolio with 20-year Treasury bonds?After maxxing out retirement accounts, where should other money be invested?Why can't more people save and invest?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Is it a mutual fund? Is it an annuity? Can one investment met everyone's retirement needs? That's seems to be the claim of the complex BlackRock LifePath Paycheck funds. Plus, we talk about Warren Buffett's take on corporate taxes and how individuals could all end up paying no income taxes. We also discuss the workings of the "backdoor" Roth IRA. Then, listeners want to know:Nearing retirement is a fiduciary adviser needed and what should one cost?The name of the book Tom mentioned about Crazy Eddie?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Gold has gotten hot again, but just because you can get a bar at Costco is it a decent investment? We look hack at the history and returns of gold over decades and longer. Plus, we take some listener questions:Where can information be found on a school districts's 403b plan?In what account order should money be withdrawn for a college education?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

On this week's Friday Q&A:Does more money in emerging markets make sense?What should be done with an 401k now that Vanguard has sold their servicing?Are these two funds diversified enough?Is there any way to calculate future call option premiums?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

There aren't many ways to improve your odds while investing in stocks. So, why have investors like Warren Buffet been so successful and why do we belive in factor investing? Plus listeners want to know:Why do we suggest more expensive products from firms like Avantis and Dimensional?What are the differences between a 403b and a Roth IRA?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Don't be fooled by "money illusions." We are often confused about money math, particularly when it comes to the impacts of inflation. Our financial psycology can lead us to make bad decisions. The callers have questions about:Financial Planning for a Special Needs Family MemberEstate Planning Strategies for Passing Wealth to GrandchildrenBalancing Risk Tolerance with Retirement SavingsDirecting Inheritance to GrandchildrenUnderstanding Indexed AnnuitiesLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

After bonds suffered a really bad year in 2022, many investors still hate them. Do all bonds deserve the recent bad reputations? Time for a fixed income reality check. We also discuss the bad advice given by most radio advisors. We also hear from listeners:Why do we dislike anuuities as investments?What do we think of the new DOL rule requiring all retirement rollover advice be held to the fiduciary standard?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Once again, the United States Depratment of Labor is trying to protect retirement investors against the lies told, and the high fees charged, by many providers of advoce for retirement pland rollovers and transfers. Will they succeed against Wall Street and Big Insurance? Plus, we take your questions:What's the best way to pay for a new roof?Why are my ETFs paying out taxable dividends?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

This Friday's Qs:How should an aggressive investor invest money that is not needed in retirement?Does a QLAC make sense as a toold to control long-term care expenses?Are there any tax ramications from moving from an expensive funds to ETFs in a qualified retirement account?Does his portfolio idea make sense for a lazy retirement investor?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

What is the best investment strategy in a time of higher "safe" interest rates? For many, the tendency is to play it safer, but how might that work out in the long run? Plus, we answer questions:How much is Edward Jones charging for their investment services?How can an investor harvest tax losses?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Far too many businesses offer their employees expensive retirement plans. You must know how much you're paying. Plus, many states are now allowing employees to set up automatic payroll deductions into their own IRAs.We hear from callers:What will interest rates do in the near future?What can be done with IRA distributions to reduce taxation?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

This seemingly simple retirement quiz stumped most who took it. How will you fare? Take the quiz with us. Plus, what can you do if you have a low interest rate bank savings account?Listeners want to know:How long will mom's retirement assets last?Is there any way to get money back from a federal long-term care policy?How can money in a retirement plan be accessed before 59-1/2 without penalties?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Our friend, Mark Hebner from Index Fund Advisors, joins Tom and Don to talk about the most important number to investors, total return. The rise and fall of prices shouldn't be of much concern to investors, it's how much you make on your investments.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

In this week's Friday Q&A edition:How safe are investment in brokerage accounts?Why shouldn't someone tranfer an IRA to Robin Hood to collect a 3% bonus?What do we think of Fisher Investments "bucket" strategy?How should money be invested for the beneficiary of a special needs trust?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

One of the problems with index funds is the fact that they slavishly follow the index. This means that for long periods they can own stocks that are way outside the indexes parameters. This is one argument for rules-basd funds. Then, listeners ask:Are we concerned about the decline in the number of publically-traded stocks?Is it okay to be 100% in stocks close to retirement?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Most American's have saved enough for even a $400 emergency? Start there, and then it's time to work on retirement savings. Along the way have those tough financial conversations with your partner. Plus, Don goes on a rant about the financial services industry and it's lack of client care. We hear from callers:With a little help for a previous caller.What do we think of a particular brokerage firm?How can money be moved from a regular IRA in an annuity to a Roth?Is Empower providing good investment advice?How should money be invested in a after-tax IRA?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

We recorded this episode as the Iranian attack on Israel was beginning. We discussed the impact of global events on your portfolio and how to invest during market turbulence. Then, we give you the chance to build your perfect economy with a quiz. We hear from some of you, too:Is a Fidelity advisor a fiduciary or not?Where should money for intermediate-term spending be invested?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Listeners love our question and and snswer episode, so here a special Monday Q&A featuring Tom and Roxyu Butner answer your written questions:Is a Total World Stock Market Index Fund Enough?Should You Pay Off a Low-Interest Mortgage Early?What do we think of the Geiten Clinger Withdrawal Strategy?Is Vanguard Advisor Services Worthwhile?What has happened to ESG Investing?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

On today's FridayQ we discuss:Robin Hood's recent offer of a 3% bonus on IRA rollovers.Avoiding a tax penalty of an inherited annuity.A listener's Talking Real Money Road Trip suggestion.The proper small cap portfolio allocation.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

We are innundated with articles featuring lists of the "best" investments. Are they really that good and should you invest in them? Plus, we hear from listeners:What's the difference between two bond ETFs?Upset about the performance of her bond fund.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Most advisors claim to be fiduciaries and even those who are always required to act in a client's best interests can have conflicts. What makes a true fiduciary financial advisor? We also discuss young investors sources of advice. Callers join in and ask:Does it make sense to split a bond portfolio between US and international bonds?How do you find the right advisor to write a financial plan?Can someone with a 401k still contribute to a Roth IRA?Why didn't a bank supply a 1099 for a CD?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Nobel laureate, Robert Shiller, believes that the U.S. stock market may have run its course for awhile. So, what should you do is he's right? You be shocked (wink) at the answer. Then, aa whole lot of listeners call in:Where should money from a property sale be kept for a future tax payment?Does it make sense to buy a little physical gold?Are money market fund yields lower than stated because of expenses?How should an early retiree invest and generate income?How can you calculate the expected future interest rates on an adjustable mortgage?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Paying too much for your retirement plan and the investments within can damage your future. Listeners ask:What do we think of direct indexing?Why isn't Don's book available as an audiobook? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Submit your spoken questions at talkingrealfmoney.com. This week:What if "messing around" with a portfolio simply means using Avantis and DFA ETFs?Are Avantis ETFs reall worth the extra expenses versus Vanguard index ETFs?What should be done with a portfolio of broket sold Franklin-Templeton funds?Is there a way to take money out of an IRA early without paying a penalty?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

What is your retirement number? Everyone should have one. Most people's number is too low, so you really need to try and calculate how much money you will need to have invested to create a decent stream of income for thosee post-work years. Then, we take your questions:Should a target-date fund be held in a non-qualified, taxable account?Instead of investing, why not just keep everything in one of today's high-yield money market products?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Large-cap, U.S. stocks had a very good first quarter. However, many markets and previously hot stocks lagged far behind. What should this mean for your portfolio? We discuss the powerful research on investing psychology by Daniel Kahneman and Don's upcoming road trip. Plus, listeners join in:What's the best way to sell one house, build another, and still have enough money left to live on?How should a grandparent set up IRAs for working grandkids and how much might they eventually have?Thanks for banning "Crypto Bob" from the Q&A podcasts.How is 529 money transferred to a Roth IRA?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Every four years investors grow concerned about the terrible impact that "other" presidential candidate might have on the stock market after the election. Yes, the evidence shows that new president's have had no discernable impact on the markets, so stop worrying. The listeners ask:Is it time to start reducing a portfolio's aggressiveness?Should the money from maturing bonds be reinevsted in funds all at once or over time?What's the best way to take money out of retirement savings to buy a RV?What can be done with old Roth contributions for someone with no taxable income?How should money be best withdrawn from an inherited IRA?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

You can probably stumble through most of your financial life. The one money need for which you must plan is retirement. Today, we discuss some of the most important things you must do to retire comfortably. Plus, we answer your questions:How should money from a maturing annuity be invested?Why should we invest in Avantis ETFs when they don't have a long track record?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Don takes on a bunch of your questions again:What can be done about a late required minimum distribution (RMD)?Is there a waiting period before you can withdraw money from a rollover Roth IRA?What's the best way to start properly passively investing?Don't fee-only investment advisors have a conflict becuase of the fee they charge?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

For your portfolio to be properly diversified, how many stocks should you own? Is ten enough or do you need ten thousand? We share the Motley Fool's perspective and our own. Plus, listeners ask:What kind of credit card do we suggest for maximum reward potential?How do older investors find the financial help needed for a fiscally disinterested spouse?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

The latest hot investing craze, thematic funds, are actually a recycled old idea, sector funds. As with any other attempt to nbeat the market, we found that "thematic" fund investors actually for worse than the funds themselves. Individual investors continue to prove thatm overall, the market is typically unbeatable. Plus, we show you how to find the best 403b plans.Listeners ask:Is a cheaper price per share ETF better than a pricier one?How much should be withdrawn from a retirement plan?Does someone with no dependents need a million dollar term life policy?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

You need to understand risk to be a successful investor. Most of us already have a very safe investment and should take risk elsewhere in our portfolio. What is risk and how can you manage it?We hear from listeners asking:How should an 80-year old's money be invested?How can you find a great financial advisor?What is the best way to invest $1.6 million?How should a recent divorced woman invest her settlement money?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

The financial product industry knows that you want the highest possible retunr with little (or no) risk. Given the amount of money invoiced, they are willing to try almost anything to pull off this illusion. However, no one has EVER been successful. Don and Tom discuss the latest attempt to provide investors with a near riskless income. Plus we take your questions:Does an employer's contribution count toward 401k limits?Is it better to pay of student loans or fund retirement?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Today's question and qnswer session features:Does a CD ladder work for portfolio protection?Is Robin Hood's Gold account worth the fee?In moving from indicvidual stocsk to ETFs can one stock's loss offest another's gain?Can we focus a program on the income generating phase of life?Do these three funds make a decent retirement portfolio?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

After interest rates hit 5%, some investors seem content to stick with savings and CDs. Tom and Don discuss the downside oif settling for today's safe money returns. What about other investments that promise "safe", high yields? Listeners want to know about:The wisdom of investing in a real estate trust?The impact of interest rate changes on pension payouts?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

In this episode, we share several of the biggest blunders that keep us from building the wealth we need for the future. Learn how to be a better investor with some really simple lifestyle and investing tweaks. Plus, we hear from our listeners:Does paying an advisor 1% per year mean that the 4% rule becomes the 3% rule?A real estate broker believes that real estate agents will thrive despite the NAR settlement.How should money be invested with wither New York Life or Edward Jones?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

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 funds or individual bonds?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

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/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!