Talking Real Money - Investing Talk

Everyone should have an emergency fund. How big should it be and how can you get started building one. We share our thoughts and examine a ne Suze Orman backed service to help get employees set up with automated savings.Then we hear from a listener wondering what we think of J.L. Collins investing advice.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Many of the hot funds of the past got that way by taking big risks on just a few stocks or sectors. However, the dangers of a concetrated portfolio outweigh the occasional impressive gains. Plus, Tom and Don discuss: Should you have invested in the lottery? Are ARMs better than fixed-rate morgages? Then we take listeners questions:What is the difference between bank and brokered CDs?Can you pick which IRAs from which to take withdrawals?What are the call letters of our Seattle station?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

During the crazy Medicare enrollment period, insurance compnaies will say or do almost anything to get you to sign up for their Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) plans. This allows them to get their hands on that government money that might otherwise just go to patients.We take some questions, too:What's the best way to add international equities to AVGE?Should precious metals and crypto be in your portfolio?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

How is the price of anything determined? We explore that issue after discovering a huge discrepency between the price of publicly traded real estate investment trusts (REITs) and non-traded REITs. How can one plunge in price while the other seems to be rising?Plus, a listener wants to know about investing overseas and moving money to safer investments?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Some "top experts" share their thoughts about retiring in times of perceived market turmoil. Tom and Don make them easier to understand.Plus, a listener wonders if his advisor is really a fiduciary when suggesting an annuity purchase.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Just as you can't have calories without weight, you can't have wealth without risk. However, many in the insurance industry want you to believe you can get market returns without losses. Plus, Tom blames Don for the I-bond induced crash of treasurydirect.gov. Don calls Tom an elitist.We take your questions:Is moving from Vanguard Windsor II into their large cap index fund a good idea?When will "real" banks raise their rates?Why did T. Rowe Price merge funds?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

We discover we have job security as investors are still missing the basics and looking for advice in all the worong places. Plus, what is investing risk. In addition, we get an update on Tom's new car purchase.Then, we take listeners questions:What should a recent widow do with a found 401k?Should he do a $1 million Roth IRA conversion?How can an investor find true fiduciary advice for a portfolio?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

We have some really great questions this week (and hopefully some decent answers). There seems to be a tax-loss and Roth theme:Can money from a tax loss sale in a brokerage account be investing in a Roth?Did she screw up her tax loss sale?How much can be investing in a Roth TSP and a Roth IRA?Why isn't Talking Real Money on Deezer?Is there a better time of day to buy ETFs?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

"But, they're so nice," "She's my niece." He goes to our church, so he must be honest." We hear this stuff all the time about financial advisors. Of course they're nice. Most of them are salespeople. To sell products, you generally need to be nice. Should niceness be one of your top criteria for hiring someone to manage your future? Tom and Don discuss how you should be picking an investment advisor.Plus, a listener wonders which is best, Vanguard, Dimensional, or Avantis?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

A number of fiduciary advisors are being sued for not putting their clients in more expensive mutual funds. Somehow, they equate higher expenses with long-term higher returns.A listener wonders whether individual bonds are better than a mutual fund?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Despite being a proven, long-term wealth building strategy, many Americans still have no stocks on the their portfolios. We explore why. We also spend some time talking with Paul Merriman about the current market and what the future might bring. Plus, we take a question on what should be done with an inheritance?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Money market mutual funds used to be a good place to park money. That has changed as many funds have raised their expenses – some to 1% per year. These high expenses eat up what tiny yield you might have received. There are better alternatives. We also dive into all mutual fund expenses and where they go. How much are you paying, to whom, and for what?Plus, we take a question about the fee structure of funds of funds. Do you pay twice?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

It's Friday (for Don anyway) and he takes a bunch of your questions:Can you sell an S&P 500 fund at Vanguard and simultaneously buy a a different S&P 500 fund at Fidelity?Who decides when dividends are declared and terminated?Who should manage a real estate portfolio?Should businesses paying her kids to do some work to fund Roth IRAs provide 1099s?Is AVGE too conservative?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Just when you thought the meme stock traders had learned their lesson, they return with new trading targets and even less knowledge.Plus, we answer our most asked question.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Market volatility frightens many investors. So, with so many financial experts out there, does anyone really understand investing markets wild fluctuations?Plus, why would would ever suggest a brand new fund with little money invested and no long-term track record?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

As real estate prices peak, some of the first feel the effects are speculators like flippers. There is no easy money. Just ask Kevin Bacon.Then, on to the questions:Can you tax loss harvest from a municipal bond ETF in a total market bond ETF?What are the alternatives to to long-term care policies?Does an immediate annuity make sense?What is the purpose of bonds in a portfolio?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Most people want more money than they have. Many want to be rich. How do we define rich and what are some simple ways to get there? Because inflation and the market have battered portfolios, many have decided to delay retirement. Should you wait?Then we take listeners questions:Is the Avantis All-Equity ETF (AVGE) a good replacement for VT and how should it be added?Do we suggest FOREX trading?In what kinds of accounts to different investments belong?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

It's Friday Q&A day with Don and in this episode, he takes six of your questions:Should a home be part of a portfolio mix?Explain the relationship between bond yields and bond prices.Is there a disadvantage to waiting to take Social Security?Is it okay to own multiple funds in similar asset classes?Do I really need bonds in my portfolio?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Here's the reveal: Don discovers that one of the worst investment ideas of all times has risen from the dead. Yes, Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (CMOs) are being sold again. Then, Tom's topic is retirement. Do we have retirement planning backward? When should we start planning for our post work life?Then we take listeners questions:Is there a better investment than VT for kids long-term investments?What is our opinion of Avantis All Equities Markets ETF (AVGE)?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Numerous investigations point to rampant Medicare fraud by the companies that run some of the largest Medicare Advantage plans. When they cheat the system they hurt all of us.Then we take your questions:What should be done with an indexed annuity in a qualified retirement plan?Does it makes sense to join a class action suit against a mutual fund?How do you convert a percentage to basis points?From which investment should RMD money be taken?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Don looks at his investment portfolio for the first time in months. Yes, stocks and bonds have been down. Should you be doing something? We discuss how to build the right portfolio for any market. We also spend some time discussing the problems with celebrity endorsements for financial products. Also, should the SEC regulate crypto? Then we take some questions:Why do so many start taking Social Security before age 70?We clarify spousal beneficiary benefits from Social Security?How can you buy Treasury securities?Where should parents go for financial help later in life?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

It's Friday and Don is answering your questions again:What is our opinion of Personal Capital and AVUV?What is the cost basis and what are the fees to buy and sell ETFs?A listener is disappointed with Tom's opinion of I-Bonds.Is this a good time to buy farm land?Is it better to be in a tax-free bonds fund?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Congress came close, but at the last minute greed prevailed and the powers that be, in the House, refused to bring a bill to a vote that would have banned stock trading. What, funds and ETFs aren't good enough for them?Then off to listeners questions:What do we think of the Washington state employee annuity?Should you have different asset classes in your 401k and IRA?Why does the amount of a security sale differ from the cash available to trade?Does no state income tax influence the the purchase of CDs or bonds?With an advisor retiring, how do you choose a new fiduciary advisor?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

We start with Don's update on Hurricane Ian, the we consider the many imroved opportunities for investing you short term cash. After that, we are innundated with questions:How can a 401k be slowly liquidated when an employer requires the whole account be closed?What should be done with some old American fund shares in IRAs?My advisor forgot to send some paperwork.Is there a cure for a bad case of 'hodgepodgitis?"How should a TSP portfolio be allocated?Plus, Tom feels compelled to talk sports again and would you pay 200% interest for that cute "doggy in the window?" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Don is taking your questions again to wrap up the week:Which comes first, your HSA or 401k?When is interest taxed in "at maturity" CDs?The best way to create a balanced investment at Fidelity?What do we make of an obscure, institutional only fund for retirement plan?What should parents do with $150,000 sitting in the bank?Before considering an annuity, with whom should she talk?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Real estate prices can fall. That truth is becoming obvious as we learn that the Seattle area is falling fastest. Plus, we talk about all of the misleading advice from idustries with commissioned salespeople. Do you have to withdraw from a Roth 401k. Tom asks Don about the latest Florida Hurricane. We share JPMorganChase CEO's Jamie Dimon's thoughts about cryptocurrency. We follow that with the story of Michael Saylor's multi-billion dollar BitCoin bet.We also hear from listeners:What are the tax consequences of realizing capital gains in an IRA product?Thanking us for what we do.Can you choose with type of 401k account from which you take withdrawals at age 72?Looking for more information about Series I bonds.Does it make sense to get a HELOC to buy stocks?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

For the second time in a row, investors have faced a second 20%+ decline in 2022. What happened and what does it mean to you? With stocks down and bonds down, at least that bear market protecting, inflation hedging asset class, gold, must have bailed you out? Right? Think again. So, how are those complaex hedging type mutual funds done? Find out. Plus, we talk about both hurrican and market panic.Then, we take your calls:What happened to your podcasts in mid-September?How to buy treasury securities on their initial offering?How does the "wash sale rule" work and how to define a "substantially identical" security.Is AVUV worth the higher fees compared with a pure small cap value index?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Don is slowly mending as the podcast maintains a shortened schedule of three to four episodes a week. There will be no videos for the nest few weeks.Today, is the American retirement system broken and what can you do to avoid poverty in your final years?PlUs, a reformed stockbroker wonders about using actively managed funds to create an income portfolio?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Don and Tom consider the question that plagues many during times after markets have lost money: Is it a bad idea to retire from work in a bear market? Should you go after a "guaranteed" 9% return?Then, on to your questions:What do we think of an "advisors" advice to use American Funds in lieu of Vanguard funds?How much can a working teenager contribute to a Roth?How can money be given to grandkids and yet protected being used too early?Is her bank advisor actually a fiduciary and how do they make money?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Don returns to the mic and explains his recent surgical absence (and catches some flack for his disdain for emergency room procedures). Then, we discuss the recent improved performance of active mutual fund managers. Could it simply be luck? Plus, Robin Hood is creating a stupid trader index.From there we take listeners questions:When should a 529 plan be funded?Immediate joint annuity...?Moving money to Fidelity. How should he switch to indexes.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Program note: We apologize for the delay in getting this episode posted. Don had a major medical emergency on September 9th that both kept him from doing the show and caused him to undergo some intensive surgery on Monday. Thanks so much for your understanding. What is the diffrenece between stocks and bonds and why do you need those boring bonds? He also discusses the power of broad diversification and a long period during which owning the S&P 500 alone was disasterous.Plus, Tom takes questions:Another call about I-BondsHow do we view REITs?Thoughts on a Social Security withdrawal strategy?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Program note: We apologize for the delay in getting this episode posted. Don had a major medical emergency on Friday that both kept him from doing the show and caused him to undergo some intensive surgery on Monday. Thanks so much for your understanding. He plans to be back for the Saturday show and subsequent episodes.Tom uses the passing of Queen Elizabeth to make a point about investing consistency.Do you know your retirement number?Can you really retire in a recession?Can iBonds be used in retirement accounts?What should be done with low interest rate credit union money?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Don and Tom and John Rekenthaler share some lessons learned about the latest hot boutique funds. Then we take some questions:Which mutual funds should be used in new Fidelity IRAs?What's a good ETF in which to park tax loss assets?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Sure, you might correctly guess the future direction of the stock market once, but can you do it every time?Then, we hear from a bunch of listeners:One shares a great Vanguard experience.Another with some really bad investments.Are Vanguard and few other fund groups facing government intervention?We hear about the elcetic concept of private foundations avoiding RMD.Must money be in Roth for five years before withdrawals?Finally, what do we think of the Fidelity Zero funds?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

We start with off-topic discusssions about holidays and changes in office work. Then we discuss a concern that many share: Can I afford to retire? Plus, we question a retirement portfolio suggestion.We hear from listeners:About Vanguard's declining level of customer support.Wondering if Tom remembers him?Bashing us for bashing crypto.It was a holiday.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Don discover a number of articles in Entreprenuer magazine that seem to be created from the same formula by a stock "research" firm in Kalkota. Plus, a comment of our tax-free investing advice.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Tom and Don take a look at a couple of popular investnents that no one needs; buffer funds, private real estate.Then a listener wonders how to get into Dimensional Funds' products?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

United Healthcare has been using expensive funds in their 401k plan. Should they have looked for cheaper products? Looks like a court will decide.Then we take lots of listener questions:Is Vanguard getting out of mutual fund business?How do ETFs work and why use them?What might happen to a company when all shares are held internally?Will savings rates ever get reasonable again?How do Treasury Bills work?Must IRA accounts have beneficiaries named?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

As the market collapsed again, how bad has the market actuall been for real investors? Then, what should you do with your student loan forgiveness? How do you pick the right mutual funds? We share the latest chapter in the AMC meme stock stupidity.Listeners ask:Does it make sense to tax-loss harvest in tax-advantaged accounts?How long does the IRS expect us to live?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Don spends another day answering listeners questions:What to we think about market timing?How can he add small and emerging markets with a mediocre 401k?What is the worst case scenarion for an I-Bond buyer?What is a basis point and is Tom caffeinated?Can a retored spouse have a Roth IRA and Personal Capital's new savings account?What should be done with next year's Roth contributions?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

We explore one of those lists of the "best" financial "advisors." What makes this list of commissioned brokers the "best" wealth managers? We ask and answer that question.Plus, listeners want to know what to do with a bunch of Microsoft stocks and what is the difference between Dimensional and Avantis?Also, check out the video version at YouTube.com/talkingrealmoneyLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Tom is back. First, we discover that active mutual funds can pick their own securities benchmarks against which they are compared. Now, it appeard that insitutional fund managers are setting their own performance targets to increase performance bonuses.A listener wonders if Social Security can be considered part of a fixed-income portfolio?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Don't like the way your active mutual fund compares to the competition? No problem. Just pick a better benchmark. It's perfectly legal and very effective at misdirecting investors. Don also considers the arguments that index funds are un-American. Yet, only a tiny percentage of active funds beat the indexes.A caller wonders if annuities are guaranteed and what to do with them?What's the best way to fund retirement accounts for young children?How could Wellington and Wellesley be recreated with index funds?In which accounts should bonds be held?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Don dives into one of his biggest issues with the financial services industry. Many insurance companies are lying their way into the retirement plans of educators, medical workers, and public employees and sucking out HUGE fees. That's not conjecture, it's fact. Even worse the teachers unions are more than complicit. They actively promote expensive annuities to their members. Then onto the questions:Where can the most recent IRS mortality tables ne found?Does al all value portfolio make sense?What should be done with an old fixed annuity?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Thanks for all the great questions. Here's what Don answers in this episode:How should bonds be added to a portfolio?Is it time to abandon the sinking ARKK?Does Crowdstreet look like a good investment?Will a 70-year old employee face any emergency 401k penalties?Are these advisors always fiduciaries?Any apparent problems with this 60/40 portfolio?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Today Don dives into Morgan Stanley's form ADV and a sample crokerage statement to try and help you understand how much you might be paying for investing advice.Be sure to watch the video to get the visual details at youtube.com/talkingrealmoneyLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Who was responsible for Crypto's recent collapse?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Famous people are notoriously bad investors.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Don't react to the markets.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!

Where do problem brokers go?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesQuestions? Comments? Click!