Talking Real Money - Investing Talk Don McDonald

It's Friday! That means Don is answering a few more of your questions:

What should be done with some old, expensive funds in a Roth?

Does a pre-tax retirement contribution reduce Social Security earnings penalties?

Does it make sense to use RMDs to make charitable contributions?

Is an expensive, actively managed small-cap value fund better, and do target-date funds have hidden fees?


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In the past, talking about money has been considered taboo. It's time to start talking with your family about this critical topic that effects both your future and theirs.
Then, listeners want to know:

Do we agree with Paul Merriman's equally divided 10-fund portfolio?

How should an HSA be invested and in how many funds?


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We hate listening to our elders, but often their experiences can make your life better. We share some of those retirement investing mistakes.
An almost record number of listeners ask:

How is my Vanguard international fund up almost 100%?

Does Fidelity or Schwab offer a globally-diversified total market index fund?

Will old baby boomers selling stock in retirement destroy the stock market?

Is there a place to find forgotten company retirement plans?

What do we think of the Washington state capital gains tax?

Why do we discourage investors from trying to "buy the dip?"

What should be done with a rental property in retirement?

What's the best way to move out of real estate and into a more diversified portfolio?





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Many people believe that higher interest on safe bank instruments makes this a good time to get out of the stock market for a while. The market habitually makes fools of those who think they are smarter than the market. We also discuss the foolishness of paying high commissions to that friend in the business. Don rips into a "radio host" who claims to be honest and sell indexed annuities. Then, we discuss the annoying proliferation of tipping screens at businesses. We hear from listeners:

How to move from Edward Jones to Vanguard?

Are 10-year CDs better than the Vanguard Total Bond Index ETF?

Then, we get our holiday weekend drunk caller.


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In this episode:

What is a P/E ratio, and why are some so much lower than "the market's?"

Which is better for future taxation, pre-tax accounts or Roths?

With some parental seed money, how much could be in a retirement account in 40 years?

Does it make sense to borrow for a big purchase or pay cash?

What can be done with mediocre, high-commission investments in a non-profit's endowment?


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As the United States approaches its credit limit what might that do to the investnent markets? We pose that question to Wes Crill, Senior Investment Director and Vice-President at Dimensional Funds. We also discuss active versus passive investing, the value of scademic evidence, the effectiveneed of market times, and the advantages of funds or ETFs.
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