Financial education is expanding nationwide—but much of it is still teaching speculation instead of investing. Don and Tom critique stock-picking contests, flawed risk frameworks, and misleading “active vs. passive” framing, while arguing for evidence-based investing and early Roth contributions as the true foundations of financial literacy. They break down the compounding power of a 529-to-Roth strategy, address custodial transaction fees when selling mutual funds, caution against performance chasing in emerging markets after a major rally, and help a caller navigate moving an elderly parent’s CD out of a low-yield bank account. The through-line: education is powerful—but only if it’s grounded in reality.

0:04 Financial education expanding nationwide—but stock-picking contests still dominate curricula.

2:14 Why stock games teach trading, not investing. Own the market instead.

3:32 Federal Reserve curriculum critique—risk scales and “active vs passive” framing.

6:10 Teach teenagers Roth IRAs early. Time is the superpower.

7:36 Questionable risk ratings—growth stocks equated with collectibles.

9:17 Efficient Market Hypothesis in plain English—luck vs insider info.

10:45 529 plans and Roth rollovers—$35K opportunity.

11:37 Compounding example—$35K to nearly $2M tax-free over 40+ years.

15:43 Withdrawing from a Vanguard target-date fund—costs and custodian fees.

20:07 Performance chasing—emerging markets surge after tariff ruling.

23:13 South Korea’s role and Avantis outperformance.

28:40 Helping an elderly parent move a $200K CD—avoid automatic rollovers.

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Teach Real Investing