Talking Real Money - Investing Talk

Don McDonald
  • 4.5 (784)
  • INVESTING
  • UPDATED DAILY

Financial talk radio veteran, Don McDonald and former host of Serious Money on PBS, Tom C**k, 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).

  1. Over Active?

    3H AGO

    Over Active?

    Don and Tom dissect a Morningstar article naming the “best core stock funds” for 2026, noting the sharp decline in recommended actively managed funds and the dominance of low-cost index funds. While they applaud the shift away from expensive stock pickers, they argue Morningstar’s “core” approach still leads to unnecessary complexity and heavy large-cap (especially S&P 500) concentration, with little exposure to small-cap, value, and emerging markets. They advocate instead for simple, globally diversified, factor-tilted funds like DFAW, AVGE, or AVGV. Listener questions cover switching from AVGE to AVGV inside an IRA (risk tolerance matters), improving a 32-year-old’s 401(k) allocation (use a Roth IRA to add small/value exposure), and a sharp analogy comparing passive investing to driving with traffic rather than weaving aggressively for no gain. 0:04 Investing in a “wonderful world” by ignoring noise 1:14 AI audio tools that may replace editors (and shorten meetings) 5:06 Morningstar’s 2026 “Best Core Funds” list shifts toward indexing 6:39 Why “core” still means large-cap heavy and incomplete diversification 9:50 The problem with piling into multiple S&P 500 funds 12:14 Why Dimensional and Avantis are missing from the list 13:26 One-fund global solutions: DFAW, AVGE, AVGV 17:44 Listener analogy: aggressive driving vs. active investing 19:08 IRA question: Switching from AVGE to AVGV and risk tolerance 20:34 32-year-old’s 401(k) allocation and using a Roth IRA to add small/value 28:40 Retirement workshop plug and who should attend 30:21 Free fiduciary advice vs. actually hiring an advisor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    34 min
  2. Nicer Qs

    4D AGO

    Nicer Qs

    In this Friday Q&A episode, Don introduces a new AI audio enhancement tool that dramatically improves the sound quality of listener questions, then dives into a series of practical retirement issues. He tackles whether converting a $2 million term life policy to whole life after a disability makes sense (and what must be guaranteed in writing), explains how to properly freeze a deceased parent’s credit and handle inherited POD accounts and IRAs under the 10-year rule, pushes back on the increasingly discussed “bond trough” retirement strategy by emphasizing emotional risk over theoretical logic, and closes with reassurance for listeners considering retiring part-time in Mexico, explaining how U.S. retirement accounts, tax treaties, and global banking make the process far simpler than many assume. 0:04 Friday intro and new AI tool that dramatically improves caller audio quality 2:01 Whole life conversion offer after disability — “free” premiums and what to demand in writing 5:57 How to submit spoken questions and call-in info 6:22 After a parent’s death: credit freezes, deceased alerts, and final credit reports 7:41 Inheriting POD accounts and an IRA — step-up in basis and the 10-year IRA rule 9:57 AVGE vs. AVGV fake-out and real question: bond “trough” strategy in retirement 11:24 Logical vs. emotional risk tolerance — why most retirees can’t handle 50% drawdowns 13:40 Retiring internationally (Mexico example) — IRAs abroad, tax treaties, and practical Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    19 min
  3. Know You Can't Know

    5D AGO

    Know You Can't Know

    Markets may feel calm despite geopolitical noise, but uncertainty is the permanent condition of investing—and the price of admission for higher returns. Don and Tom unpack Jason Zweig’s reminder that investors hate uncertainty (tough), discuss the surge in speculation from leveraged ETFs to prediction markets, and explain why “play money” accounts should stay small. They field listener questions on building an investment policy statement, rebalancing without sabotaging returns, simplifying overly complex ETF portfolios, choosing international small-cap exposure, and setting up custodial accounts (with a nod to Roth IRAs for working teens). The core message: take only the risk you need, not the risk your inner con man wants. 0:00 The podcast that never ends; investors hate uncertainty 1:19 Jason Zweig revisits 2008 and the permanence of market uncertainty 3:16 Calm markets, speculative behavior, and the rise of prediction markets 6:00 “Play money” accounts and the danger of confusing gambling with investing 8:18 Take the risk you need—not the risk you want 9:05 Writing down how you feel during downturns 11:51 Listener question: Rebalancing and creating an Investment Policy Statement 17:09 25-year-old portfolio review: Too much complexity, wrong tilts 20:27 International small-cap choice: AVDV vs. AVDS 23:26 Custodial accounts for teens and the Roth IRA opportunity 26:10 RetireMeet 2026 promotion and event details Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    32 min
  4. When Dull is Desirable

    6D AGO

    When Dull is Desirable

    Talking Real Money opens with a stark illustration of why Bitcoin fails as a usable currency, showing how volatility can destroy real-life budgets overnight. Don and Tom compare crypto to historic speculative bubbles, argue that stability—not hype—is the core function of money, and dismantle the “store of value” narrative. The show then shifts to practical listener calls covering CD ladders, Treasury yields, retirement readiness, estate planning, and early-retirement balance. Throughout, they emphasize boring, diversified, evidence-based investing over speculation, reminding listeners that long-term financial security comes from discipline, planning, and emotional restraint—not chasing the next hot trend. 0:04 Bitcoin paycheck scenario and real-world income collapse 1:04 Currency volatility vs. household budgeting reality 2:22 Bitcoin’s 45% drop and “currency vs. speculation” argument 3:24 Hyperinflation examples and why stability matters 4:03 “Greater fool” theory and vanishing crypto hype 4:47 Why Bitcoin fails as a functional currency 5:59 Tulip mania and historical bubbles comparison 6:59 Tangible assets vs. pure speculation 7:39 “At least you can live in a house” argument 8:26 Michael Saylor, HODL culture, and empty promises 9:30 NFT collapse and Beeple example 10:11 Crypto returns vs. real assets 11:14 Listener question: CDs vs. Treasuries 12:22 Current CD rates and Bankrate reference 13:56 Risks of long-term bonds and rate changes 15:32 Don’s real CD ladder example 16:37 Fixed income diversification strategy 18:35 Hot money leaving crypto for prediction markets 19:45 Generational blind spots and bubble psychology 21:08 Retirement planning call: housing proceeds and savings 23:57 Social Security timing and cash-flow planning 25:41 Importance of fee-only fiduciary planning 27:32 Vernita Toll Bridge digression (classic TRM) 30:33 Estate planning: wills vs. trusts 33:49 RetireMeet promotion and resources 35:43 FIRE listener call: saving vs. living balance 38:58 Permission to spend responsibly Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    47 min
  5. A Better Way

    FEB 10

    A Better Way

    0:04 Dow hits 50,000 while most stocks lag—why it’s a meaningless headline 0:59 Robinhood and Palantir slide—speculators start getting nervous 1:39 Jason Zweig on low-volatility funds—and why timing them is a trap 1:55 Why the Dow is a terrible “index” built on 1890s math 3:22 Diversified portfolios quietly up nearly 6% YTD in early 2026 3:32 Small-cap value up 13%—the payoff of long-term discipline 4:05 “We didn’t predict this”—why diversification beats market bragging 4:54 Portfolios should already be built for downturns 5:10 The danger of reacting after markets “stumble” 7:09 Average vs. median net worth—why averages mislead 8:26 How billionaires distort financial statistics 9:09 “Lies, damned lies, and statistics” origins 10:06 AI-enhanced listener call audio and Friday Q&A podcast 10:37 DFFVX vs. AVUV—Dimensional vs. Avantis small-cap value 13:33 Why track records don’t matter for similar funds 13:53 Super Bowl sirloin cooking advice 15:17 Whole life insurance review—why to cash out in retirement 17:08 When cash-value insurance makes sense (rarely) 19:22 Surprise downloads of Christmas stories in February 20:57 Caller asks about “set-it-and-forget-it” investing 24:26 Risk tolerance when retiring soon 26:08 Using AVGE for global diversification 27:48 Why near-retirees should get professional reviews 30:28 Emergency funds—never use a Roth 31:37 High-yield savings accounts around 4%+ 34:11 Portfolio balance and realistic expectations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    45 min
  6. Alternative Employment

    FEB 9

    Alternative Employment

    Don and Tom step away from pure investing talk to explore how AI, layoffs, and stagnant wages are reshaping career paths—especially for young people and midlife career changers. Drawing on a Wall Street Journal article, they make the case that skilled trades and blue-collar careers are increasingly attractive alternatives to vulnerable white-collar jobs. They discuss service advisor roles, union trades, and apprenticeship paths, then pivot to listener questions on Robinhood bonuses, switching to financial advising later in life, and the risks of moving from AVGE to AVGV. Throughout, they emphasize self-knowledge, discipline, and long-term thinking—whether choosing a career or building a portfolio. 0:04 Why this episode is about earning money, not just investing 0:31 Encouraging parents to rethink college-only career paths 1:15 AI, layoffs, and the shrinking white-collar job market 2:32 Crash Champions and the rise of service advisor careers 3:31 Don’s dealership days and why he left the car business 5:12 Learning to drive stick shift the hard way 6:46 Apprenticeships, $60K starting pay, and growth potential 7:34 Work-life balance in blue-collar vs. white-collar jobs 8:36 Why contractors struggle with communication and planning 9:05 Demand for skilled trades and handyman services 9:47 Labor shortages: factory, construction, and auto techs 10:36 Demographics and the retirement of skilled workers 11:35 Pensions, unions, and taking responsibility for retirement 12:45 Finding yourself in your 20s and career experimentation 13:04 New Tales Told plug and early radio career story 14:23 Listener: Robinhood bonuses and disciplined investing 15:41 Why Robinhood encourages risky behavior 17:23 Listener: Becoming a financial advisor at 55 18:31 Barriers to entry and starting an independent RIA 19:14 Why people skills matter more than math skills 20:45 How AI will reshape the advisory profession 22:07 Shift from brokerage to fiduciary advising 23:18 Listener: Switching from AVGE to AVGV 24:47 Risk tolerance and fund volatility 26:31 Splitting funds and managing behavioral risk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    32 min
  7. Nice, Warm Questions

    FEB 6

    Nice, Warm Questions

    In this Friday Q&A episode of Talking Real Money, Don tackles five thoughtful listener questions ranging from confusing 401(k) collective investment trusts and investment club withdrawals to Roth conversion strategies, inflation fears in bond portfolios, and inherited IRA planning. Along the way, he emphasizes transparency over opacity, flexibility over prediction, and discipline over emotion. Don pushes back against fear-driven investing decisions, cautions against large tax moves based on uncertain futures, explains when TIPS do (and don’t) make sense, and praises a listener’s smart inherited IRA-to-Roth strategy. Note: listener call audio has been enhanced with a new tool, making callers sound almost like they’re in the studio. Let us know what you think. 0:04 Podcast vs. radio intro, Friday Q&A format, and improved caller audio quality 1:00 How listeners submit questions through TalkingRealMoney.com 1:44 33-year-old with $330K in a 401(k) and confusing collective investment trusts 4:26 Why “intermediate cycle” funds are market timing in disguise 6:47 Investment club withdrawals and in-kind transfers after Schwab/TD merger 9:23 Why there’s no universal rule for investment club distributions 9:58 Complex Roth conversion plan and IRMAA concerns 14:31 Why large Roth conversions rely too heavily on tax predictions 16:59 The case for slow, flexible, incremental conversions 17:28 National debt fears and switching from BND to TIPS 20:47 When TIPS actually help and why panic reallocations fail 21:46 Emotional control as the core investing skill 22:10 Inherited IRA strategy to fund Roth contributions 24:15 Why spreading withdrawals over 10 years makes sense 25:09 Listener growth, competition with Stacking Benjamins, and call to action Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    28 min
  8. Don't Stop Saving

    FEB 5

    Don't Stop Saving

    Don and Tom take on Elon Musk’s claim that AI will make retirement saving obsolete, pushing back hard on the idea that technology or billionaires will somehow fund everyone’s future. They examine why universal basic income is politically and mathematically unrealistic, remind listeners that past tech revolutions didn’t magically create widespread wealth, and reinforce the importance of steady, diversified investing. The episode also tackles listener questions on HSAs, 529 rollovers, taxable account strategy, and tax efficiency, while weaving in commentary on work, purpose, behavior, and—once again—the ongoing menace of gas-powered leaf blowers. 0:04 Fear of AI and its supposed impact on money and jobs 1:52 Elon Musk’s claim that retirement saving will become irrelevant 2:59 Why billionaires don’t like sharing wealth 4:29 Historical tax rates and wealth distribution 6:21 Business Insider survey: 94% still plan to save 8:45 Why tech revolutions don’t eliminate financial risk 9:59 Work, purpose, and retirement psychology 10:33 Universal basic income math and tax reality 11:54 Luddites and historical job displacement 12:55 Listener questions segment begins 13:18 HSA invested in Fidelity target-date fund 17:38 Overfunded 529 plans and Roth rollover rules 20:45 Taxable account strategy and balanced funds 23:28 Asset location and tax efficiency 24:49 Finding fund returns on Morningstar 25:46 Tom’s Scottsdale meetings 26:45 War on gas-powered leaf blowers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    31 min
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4.5
out of 5
784 Ratings

About

Financial talk radio veteran, Don McDonald and former host of Serious Money on PBS, Tom C**k, 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).

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