Talking Real Money - Investing Talk

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!

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 ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

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/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

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 money from Edward Jones to Schwab?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

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.How is his broker making money off of his IRA account?Should money coming out of an annuity be invested in bonds as well as stock funds?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

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/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

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!

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/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

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 deduction makes sense?What's the best way to set up a retirement plan for a small business?Does a "sell on Friday, buy back on Monday" market timing strategy makes sense?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

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/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

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. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

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/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

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/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

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/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

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/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

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/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

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 about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

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/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

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/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

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!

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/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

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, Part 2?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

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 megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

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/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

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/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

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/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

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 "investment" vehicles.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

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 more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

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 or Health Savings Account?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!