42:I[185,["/_next/static/chunks/3xnt26d00_zk-.js","/_next/static/chunks/0gtn0si1crxii.js","/_next/static/chunks/42spz6paskvb6.js","/_next/static/chunks/06x30xgfe6iur.js","/_next/static/chunks/1pfyc3q3c61jb.js","/_next/static/chunks/35-gbipsuw5b6.js"],"SendEmailButton"] 44:I[63625,["/_next/static/chunks/3xnt26d00_zk-.js","/_next/static/chunks/0gtn0si1crxii.js","/_next/static/chunks/42spz6paskvb6.js","/_next/static/chunks/06x30xgfe6iur.js","/_next/static/chunks/1pfyc3q3c61jb.js","/_next/static/chunks/35-gbipsuw5b6.js"],"AddToLibraryButton"] 45:I[29721,["/_next/static/chunks/3xnt26d00_zk-.js","/_next/static/chunks/0gtn0si1crxii.js","/_next/static/chunks/42spz6paskvb6.js","/_next/static/chunks/06x30xgfe6iur.js","/_next/static/chunks/1pfyc3q3c61jb.js","/_next/static/chunks/35-gbipsuw5b6.js"],"ShareButton"] 46:I[58016,["/_next/static/chunks/3xnt26d00_zk-.js","/_next/static/chunks/0gtn0si1crxii.js","/_next/static/chunks/42spz6paskvb6.js","/_next/static/chunks/06x30xgfe6iur.js","/_next/static/chunks/1pfyc3q3c61jb.js","/_next/static/chunks/35-gbipsuw5b6.js"],"ProcessEpisodeButton"] 47:I[45269,["/_next/static/chunks/3xnt26d00_zk-.js","/_next/static/chunks/0gtn0si1crxii.js","/_next/static/chunks/42spz6paskvb6.js","/_next/static/chunks/06x30xgfe6iur.js","/_next/static/chunks/1pfyc3q3c61jb.js","/_next/static/chunks/35-gbipsuw5b6.js"],"SignupCTA"] 3a:["$","time",null,{"dateTime":"2026-07-24T14:00:00.000Z","children":"July 24, 2026"}] 3b:["$","span",null,{"aria-hidden":true,"children":"·"}] 3c:["$","span",null,{"children":"00:34:19"}] 43:T4f5,

Bonds are supposed to be the brakes in a portfolio—but should those brakes be BND, a shorter-term fund, CDs, or a Treasury ladder? Don explains why duration, yield stability, and personal comfort make the answer more nuanced than one ticker.

The Friday questions keep coming: pairing AVGE with VT, moving $5 million from real estate into a retirement portfolio, understanding an emerging-markets fund that became legally non-diversified, and building 529s for grandchildren.

The final stretch is all planning: Roth conversions and IRMAA, choosing a HELOC over a 401(k) loan, and resisting the urge to let the tax tail wag the retirement dog.

00:00 A full inbox of financial questions
02:30 BND versus short bonds, CDs, and Treasury ladders
06:45 AVGE plus VT—or unnecessary overlap?
10:23 Moving $5 million from real estate into markets
14:51 When an index fund becomes legally non-diversified
18:18 Building 529s and Roth head starts for grandchildren
22:16 Roth conversions, RMDs, and IRMAA
25:23 HELOC or 401(k) loan for renovations?
28:01 The tax tail and a long Roth-conversion plan

Questions? Comments? Click!