Podcast
Talking Real Money - Investing Talk
Hosted by Don McDonald · EN
Financial talk radio veteran, Don McDonald and former host of Serious Money on PBS, Tom Cock, join forces to talk about real money issues. In each episode, they solve real money problems, dole out real investing (not speculating) advice, and really explain the financial issues that effect all of us. Plus, it's actually fun! Talking Real Money is a podcast designed to provide the real help we all need to enjoy a really great future. Call in with your questions anytime at 855-935-TALK (8255).
57episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
With the Cost?
Mar 300:44:52Tap to summarizeDon and Tom revisit the eternal temptation to beat the market, dismantling the appeal of equal-weight indexes and active management claims by highlighting implementation costs, tax drag, and decades of underperformance data. They explain why diversification isn’t about bragging rights but smoother returns and disciplined risk management. Callers tackle portfolio rebalancing for a multimillion-dollar account (with a strong case made for elegant simplicity), sibling stock-picking rivalries, and small-business 401(k) options 0:04 Beating the market. Four decades of “sure things” that weren’t. 2:44 Equal-weight vs. cap-weight. Smart idea… until costs show up. 4:58 Why diversify beyond the S&P 500. Smooth ride over bragging rights. 6:03 Theory vs. reality. Execution costs ruin beautiful strategies. 7:30 Active managers as “teammates.” The SPIVA reality check. 15:43 Small-business 401(k)s. More options, Vanguard pricing breakdown. 20:59 Caller Dan: Rebalancing a $3M portfolio. Simplicity wins. 28:33 Caller Glenn: “My brother beats the market.” Luck vs. skill. 33:56 Caller Dale: Virtual access and post-event recordings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Funds or Ladders?
Mar 200:32:34Tap to summarizeThis episode dives into the surprisingly emotional world of fixed income investing, exploring whether traditional bond funds like BND still make sense or if newer laddered bond ETFs offer a psychological edge by returning principal at a set maturity date. Don and Tom unpack how these ETFs compare to CD ladders, why capital gains should never be expected from bonds, and how investor psychology often drives the preference for “certainty.” They also congratulate Dimensional Fund Advisors on reaching $1 trillion in assets, discuss whether laddering target-date funds makes planning easier or just more complicated, and answer listener questions about transferring accounts from Morgan Stanley to Vanguard and managing tax consequences along the way. 0:04 Bonds vs. crypto — why fixed income feels boring but matters 1:02 Why bonds exist in portfolios (stability, income, not growth) 2:18 Introduction to laddered bond ETFs (Invesco, iShares, Vanguard) 3:51 Bond returns in 2025 and the “don’t expect capital gains” rule 5:03 The psychological problem with bond funds (they never mature) 6:54 How target-maturity bond ETFs differ from traditional bond funds 11:28 Yield comparisons across laddered maturities vs. BND 13:14 When laddered ETFs might make sense (income timing, certainty) 15:09 Dimensional Fund Advisors reaches $1 trillion in assets 19:57 Listener: Laddering target-date funds instead of bonds 23:19 Listener: Transferring IRA and taxable accounts to Vanguard Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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More Qs reQuired
Mar 200:25:56Tap to summarizeOn this Friday Q&A episode, Don answers listener questions on international stock overweighting inside a Seattle city retirement plan, whether a Vanguard target-date fund might be a smarter emotional guardrail than self-managing allocations, how much term life insurance a family really needs (hint: it’s about replacing income, not funding Ivy League dreams), whether an aggressively small-value–tilted Avantis portfolio is too risky for a disabled early retiree, and how to evaluate a $36,000 pension annuity versus a $500,000 lump sum using withdrawal math instead of Monte Carlo optimism. The recurring theme: feelings aren’t an edge, discipline beats prediction, and structure matters more than conviction. 0:09 Fewer recorded questions lately and how to submit them 1:41 Seattle city employee overweighted in international stocks 3:36 Why “historic pivots” and gut feelings aren’t an investing edge 4:50 Target-date fund vs. self-built allocation 7:27 Using small-cap/value funds alongside a target-date fund 9:15 Risk tolerance vs. emotional market timing 10:53 How much term life insurance is enough? 12:35 Replacing income vs. funding lifestyle extras 12:44 Aggressive Avantis (AVGV/AVGE/AVNV/DFAW) portfolio review 15:50 What happens if your portfolio drops 50%? 17:10 Pension choice: $36k annuity vs. $500k lump sum 21:29 The 41-year math on the lump-sum difference 22:52 Why lump sum often makes you the “insurance company” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Slicing Fees
Feb 2600:31:36Tap to summarizeVanguard slashes fees again, pushing its average expense ratio down to six basis points. Don and Tom contrast that with outrageously expensive ETFs charging 2% to 14% annually, walk through why evidence-based factor funds cost a bit more than pure index funds, answer listener questions about international tilts and fund-of-funds rebalancing, and clarify why diversification across assets still matters more than fee-chasing alone. 0:04 Vanguard cuts fees again — average expense ratio now 0.06% 3:43 What expense ratios really are (and how many investors unknowingly overpay) 5:00 The shockers: ETFs charging 2% to 14% annually 11:13 Comparing Vanguard index costs vs. Avantis and Dimensional factor funds 14:41 Why anything above ~0.35% for passive/rules-based investing is likely too much 16:03 The “Militia” ETF: 14% fee, poker background, no real track record 19:46 Listener: Increasing international exposure inside IRA/Roth 21:35 Clarifying fund-of-funds vs. multiple funds for rebalancing 23:18 Why Avantis and Dimensional include mid-cap, REITs, and bonds 27:25 Evidence-based investing isn’t just about returns — it’s about correlation and volatility control Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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It's One Portfolio
Feb 2500:45:00Tap to summarizeThis episode focuses on smart portfolio construction across multiple accounts, using AVGV to complement limited 401(k) options, and why allocation should be viewed holistically. A caller debates stretching into a later target-date fund, prompting a discussion about risk versus actual retirement need. Crypto is challenged as speculation rather than investment. Dividend strategies and bond placement inside Roth IRAs are examined. A muni bond question reinforces the value of patience. The show closes with a humorous but pointed critique of the UFO ETF and broader thematic fund hype. 0:04 AVGE vs. AVGV — why adding global value can offset a 401(k)’s large-cap bias 5:02 Think one portfolio — asset allocation should span every account 8:18 2045 vs. 2060 target-date funds — only take the risk you actually need 11:20 Crypto challenge — utility, politics, and “I’m up” aren’t investment theses 14:48 SCHD in a Roth — dividend chasing and why bonds usually don’t belong there 18:54 Roth contribution ideas — avoid overlap, consider value exposure 20:11 Selling an individual muni — bid/ask spreads and the case for just holding 26:50 The UFO ETF — defense stocks wrapped in alien hype 31:01 $800B in thematic ETFs — headlines aren’t a strategy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Rules of Thumb
Feb 2400:44:53Tap to summarizeThis episode moves from the origin of “rule of thumb” to why most investing rules of thumb don’t work for real people. Tom and Don explore a Yale professor’s personalized allocation model, walk through tax-smart strategies for funding a child’s car while managing Roth conversions and capital gains, warn about liquidity risks in private credit after restrictions at Blue Owl Capital, explain how to structure IRA withdrawals through disciplined rebalancing, and close by addressing market-timing anxiety for retirees sitting heavily in cash. The through-line: simple rules are comforting, but thoughtful planning beats shortcuts every time. 0:04 What “rule of thumb” really means and why investing is full of them 2:17 60/40, 100-minus-age, and why simple formulas fall short 3:16 Yale professor James Choi’s personalized allocation formula 4:35 Why a 25-year-old probably should be nearly 100% in stocks 6:25 Spreadsheets vs. real-world investors 9:39 Portugal caller: funding a daughter’s car purchase tax-efficiently 13:28 Roth conversions, 12% bracket strategy, and zero capital gains planning 16:46 Rebalancing opportunity: selling VTI vs. Schwab Intelligent Portfolio 19:16 Private credit warning: liquidity restrictions at Blue Owl Capital 23:45 The illusion of “safe” high returns in private lending 26:53 IRA withdrawal strategy: sell winners when rebalancing 29:35 Annual vs. monthly withdrawal discipline 31:34 60/40 vs. 70/30 — how much difference really matters 33:32 Retirement income simplification: fewer funds, easier rebalancing 34:48 Seattle caller: $1.45M in money market and market-timing temptation 36:18 Why market timing fails and when an advisor earns their keep Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Extra Income?
Feb 2300:30:31Tap to summarizeDon and Tom examine Kiplinger’s list of top retirement side gigs and separate practical ideas from pipe dreams, questioning whether executive coaching, IT consulting, online reselling, and landlord life truly offer “passive” or realistic income. They highlight more viable options like tutoring, handyman work, and tour guiding while emphasizing purpose over paycheck. Listener questions cover the risks of private credit and alternative investments, plus smart strategies for consolidating multiple 401(k) accounts without triggering unintended tax consequences. 0:04 Old guys still podcasting intro 1:38 Kiplinger’s retiree side-gig list 3:26 Executive coaching reality check 4:40 AI and tech consulting skepticism 6:32 Consulting and client ego problems 7:53 AI vs. content writers 9:06 Bookkeeping for small businesses 9:29 Online selling isn’t easy money 11:19 Tutoring as a steady option 12:17 Handyman work pays well 13:44 Tour guide opportunities 14:17 Landlord myth of “passive” income 16:00 Where to find side gigs 16:47 Bridge jobs for healthcare 17:08 Purpose-driven retirement 19:14 Private credit and alternative risks 23:46 Consolidating multiple 401(k)s Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Income Sources
Oct 16Tap to summarizeQuestions? Comments?Don swats a studio bug, then swats down the idea of dividend-driven retirement portfolios. Drawing on Jason Zweig’s interview with Richard Thaler, they explain why retirees should focus on total return—spending from a diversified portfolio rather than chasing yield. They hit Robinhood’s profit model, bid-ask spreads, and the need for automatic-enrollment retirement plans. A listener call leads to a discussion of Social Security timing, debt-free retirement, and (yes) hodgepodge-itis—Don’s term for chaotic portfolios. Things wrap with a jailed investor’s question, some gallows humor, and the usual banter about holidays and compliance.0:04 Bug chaos and phone-line reminder1:41 Why dividend-income portfolios are a trap2:50 Jason Zweig & Richard Thaler on total-return spending4:18 Total return beats “high-dividend” illusions5:39 Robinhood’s option-spread profits and the myth of “free” trading6:15 Schwab vs. Robinhood: relative honesty in bid-ask spreads7:43 Thaler’s take on missing retirement plans and automatic savings9:05 Anniversary talk and the failed “Debbie Show” experiment10:15 Back to Thaler—why most workers still lack plans11:39 Tesla options example showing 7 percent spread12:05 Case for national retirement depository & hybrid Social Security13:33 Hodgepodge-itis defined (and owned by Don)14:51 Low call volume and the Mariners’ hangover15:52 Listener Kevin asks about dividends vs. selling stock16:53 Reinvesting dividends vs. total-return withdrawals18:17 Dividends reduce company growth potential19:45 Why high-yield chasing kills diversification20:07 Caller David, age 67, plans retirement & asks how to prep21:55 Social Security timing advice—benefits rise monthly22:50 David’s details: city pension, deferred comp, house, no debt24:07 Getting professional fiduciary advice before retiring25:23 David’s crypto confession and $3K Ripple gamble27:27 Jail-bound investor asks where to park money30:18 Don & Tom debate investing from behind bars (humor intact)33:19 Columbus Day scheduling confusion & closing banterLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Barron’s Bond Blunder
Aug 12, 2025Tap to summarizeToday’s show exposes how Barron’s ran an undisclosed advertorial from a high-fee bond fund manager pushing junk-heavy, risky products while trashing traditional bonds with misleading comparisons. Don and Tom explained why safe bonds should stay short-to-intermediate term and simple, called out a Starlink “$127 for life” internet scam, and fielded listener questions on tax-adjusted rebalancing between traditional and Roth IRAs, trimming long-held Microsoft vs. American Funds, Social Security timing myths, and why Bitcoin isn’t an investment. An email question on replacing BND rounded out the episode with a reminder that its structure still works for most investors. 0:04 Opening; Barron’s undisclosed advertorial problem and high-fee, junk-heavy bond funds 5:06 Scam watch — Starlink $127-for-life ad and why nobody will protect you but you 9:41 Caller Rob: Tax-adjusted IRA rebalancing, simple three-fund global strategy with overlap 16:11 Caller Bob: Which to trim first — Microsoft vs. American Funds ICA 21:41 Caller Tony: Social Security timing and why trust fund worries aren’t a reason to claim early 26:27 Caller Bruce: Bitcoin as speculation, not an investment, and the altcoin glut 35:13 Email: Swapping BND for short/intermediate bonds — why BND’s structure still works Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Just Invest!
Aug 4, 2025Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Don and Tom tackle investor emotion during market highs and use a Schwab-inspired scenario to show how discipline beats market timing—every time. They walk through four fictional investors (lucky, disciplined, unlucky, and fearful) to reveal the long-term value of staying invested. The hosts also answer a listener’s question about breaking into the fiduciary advice world and finish with a blistering takedown of FIBA, a so-called fiduciary group pushing high-commission annuities to federal workers. This one’s part reality check, part rally cry. 0:04 Emotional investing and the danger of reacting to market highs 1:13 Why timing the market is so tempting—and so wrong 2:35 Four investor scenarios: lucky, disciplined, unlucky, and the guy who sat it out 5:03 20-year returns: how even the worst timing beat sitting in T-bills 6:25 Discipline as a risk-reduction strategy and emotional filter 8:16 Worst-case fear vs real-world data: even the unlucky come out ahead 9:21 Market rebounds: faster than most think, from 2008 to 2025 10:28 The fourth golden rule: Discipline beats market noise 13:03 Listener Zach thanks Tom—phone call advice pays off 13:34 Listener “Long” asks how to become a fiduciary advisor 14:55 Why financial skills alone don’t make great advisors 16:38 Should you start at a sales-driven firm? Probably not 18:04 Better idea: get your Series 65, find a DFA firm, study for CFP 20:08 Sales skills matter—but you don’t have to sell your soul 20:55 Listener asks about FIBA and a “too good to be true” annuity pitch 21:48 FIBA’s fake fiduciary claim and questionable annuity advice 24:30 Unregistered “advisors” pushing 9–11% commission products 26:25 Why these products are sold: $35K+ commissions 28:30 How to spot fake fiduciaries—and what real ones disclose 29:23 Tom and Don still steaming about annuity predators Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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