Talking Real Money - Investing Talk
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).
Episodes
May 6, 2025 • 42 mins
Tom Cock takes the mic solo (with Don recovering from a “procedure”) and brings in advisor Roxy Butner for a special live episode. They reflect on Warren Buffett’s decision to retire in 2025, discussing lessons from his value investing strategy and massive cash holdings. Listener questions roll in on topics like compound interest assumptions, the risks of holding company stock, ETF mechanics, and how best to diversify for retiremen...
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May 5, 2025 • 32 mins
Don and Tom get real about the most important lessons every young person should learn about money—before life (and bad decisions) get in the way. From money values to compound interest, tax realities to the unpredictability of markets, they each offer a list of financial truths no teen should graduate without. Along the way, they drop stories from their own lives, take questions from listeners, and somehow end up discussing soccer ...
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May 1, 2025 • 21 mins
Don records this Q&A episode a bit early—right before heart surgery—to make sure listeners don’t miss their Friday dose. He kicks off with a listener confused by a boilerplate $50 foreign stock fee warning on a Fidelity Zero fund (spoiler: it doesn’t apply). Another caller is teetering on the edge of retirement viability with $500K, pensions, and Social Security—Don offers honest thoughts on withdrawal flexibility and why waiting o...
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May 1, 2025 • 31 mins
On this myth-busting episode of Talking Real Money, Don and Tom tackle persistent financial fables that sound logical but often lead investors astray. With help from a Kiplinger list and their own experience, they dissect myths around mortgage payoff returns, Roth conversions, Social Security fears, withdrawal rules, and tax refunds—plus three bonus myths that still haunt conversations today. Along the way, Don shares his own recen...
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April 30, 2025 • 45 mins
Tariffs, fear, and stockpiling—oh my! Don and Tom break down how consumer sentiment, not just consumer spending, is shifting dramatically under the weight of tariff uncertainty. They connect behavioral shifts—like Googling “recession” and panic-buying tires—to bigger economic signals and what it all means for investors. From the role of emergency savings to the misleading pitch of indexed annuities, they dismantle hype and stress t...
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April 29, 2025 • 38 mins
Our memories—and sometimes our parents'—shape how we invest, often more than logic or data. Don and Tom break down how generational financial trauma, recent market trends, and asset class myths (like gold and U.S.-only investing) skew our thinking. They call out flawed stock picking contests, revisit the real long-term returns on gold versus stocks, and explain why short-term memory leads to bad long-term decisions. Listener questi...
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April 28, 2025 • 22 mins
Don and Tom dive into the seductive but dangerous world of leverage, starting with real estate and quickly moving into the even riskier territory of leveraged ETFs. They explain how leverage magnifies both gains and devastating losses, using real-world examples like the Direction 3X Treasury Bull and Bear funds, which either crushed or annihilated investor money. They caution listeners that these “extra touchy” funds are pure specu...
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April 25, 2025 • 23 mins
In this listener Q&A episode, Don dives into some powerful topics—from calling out the sales-driven heart of the financial services industry to explaining how bond index funds are built and breaking down the tax realities of non-retirement brokerage accounts. A caller wrestles with guilt over a bad annuity recommendation for a dying relative, prompting a raw conversation about the system’s moral middle ground. Don shares his own ea...
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April 24, 2025 • 29 mins
Gold is back in the headlines, but should it be in your portfolio? Don and Tom take a fresh (and frequently hilarious) look at the shiny metal that never seems to deliver. From Fort Knox to Costco’s gold bar rush, they trace gold’s lackluster long-term returns and its overhyped reputation as a hedge. They break down why physical gold fails as an investment, why GLD is better (but still meh), and why long-term investors might alread...
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April 23, 2025 • 45 mins
When markets get bumpy, emotions take the wheel—and that’s exactly why Don spends this solo episode reminding listeners that logic, evidence, and simplicity still win in the long run. He digs into why private investments aren't the magic they claim to be (even when Vanguard jumps in), why diversification still beats sexy strategies, and how the best “alternative” to bad investing is simply building a solid plan and sticking to it. ...
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April 22, 2025 • 45 mins
Don flies solo on this episode of Talking Real Money, fielding calls and calling out the nonsense in fancy investment gimmicks. From market-neutral funds to buffered ETFs, he lays out the case for simplicity, diversification, and discipline over complexity and high fees. Along the way, he compares real-world returns of flashy funds to the humble Vanguard Balanced Index, explains the math behind risk and reward, and gently teases li...
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April 21, 2025 • 26 mins
In this episode of Talking Real Money, Don McDonald and Tom Cock discuss practical strategies for navigating recessions without panic or unnecessary market timing. They critique the constant, fear-driven speculation around economic downturns and emphasize maintaining a disciplined, long-term approach. Highlighting actual investor behavior from Dalbar studies, they explain why market timing almost always results in poorer returns. T...
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April 16, 2025 • 45 mins
Don and Tom explore the role of risk, resilience, and rational investing as they tackle stock market uncertainty, Roth conversion confusion, and Robinhood’s attempt to lure new users. They mix in practical advice with plenty of caller questions—plus a detour into air-dried laundry, social media skepticism, and an appreciation for the film Tune Out the Noise. It's Talking Real Money in its purest form: smart, skeptical, and occasion...
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April 15, 2025 • 45 mins
Wild market swings, political chaos, and investor confusion set the stage for this episode. Don and Tom break down the emotional impact of volatility, the myths of market timing, and the wisdom in sticking to long-term plans. With insights from Jason Zweig and some smart listener Q&A, they remind us that discipline—not prediction—is what builds wealth, even in uncertain times.
0:01 Intro with the 'interesting times' curse and the...
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April 14, 2025 • 32 mins
In this classic swirl of candor, humor, and financial sense, Don and Tom tackle the human habit of financial foolishness—from betting big on speculative ETFs to ignoring global diversification. They call out the irony of investment products like ELON, roast the current state of the Motley Fool, and offer real-world perspective on international investing, market timing myths, and retirement portfolio design. They even sprinkle in a ...
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April 11, 2025 • 22 mins
It’s a full-on Q&A Friday as Don tackles listener questions on account consolidation, fund choices, proper bond allocation, and portfolio construction. From dissecting the merits of AVGE vs. DFAW vs. VT+AVUV, to helping federal employees estimate how much to save, and even clearing up confusion about average returns—this episode is a masterclass in real-world investing for every phase of life. Whether you’re building your portfolio...
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April 11, 2025 • 34 mins
Don and Tom put popular retirement rules of thumb under the microscope—testing everything from the 4% withdrawal rule to the idea of downsizing your home in retirement. With equal parts logic and skepticism, they explore whether these oft-repeated guidelines still hold up in today's financial landscape. Along the way, they touch on portfolio construction, social security timing (with Don’s real-life dilemma), and why rules are made...
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April 9, 2025 • 45 mins
This episode dives deep into the market’s latest mood swing and the potential impact of new tariffs on consumer costs—like the real price of your next iPhone. Don and Tom explain what tariffs are, how they work, and why they’re likely to fuel inflation. Plus, they tackle a range of listener questions, from the risks of fixed-income annuities and rebalancing portfolios, to why bonds (yes, still) deserve a place in your portfolio. An...
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April 8, 2025 • 45 mins
In this episode, Don and Tom address the market’s recent correction—without ever saying the “D-word.” They explain how global diversification cushions the blow, why balanced portfolios aren’t as battered as headlines suggest, and how reacting emotionally is the real danger. They also dive into classic investing mistakes, like stock concentration and chasing headlines, and share guidance on rebalancing thresholds. Listener questions...
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April 7, 2025 • 28 mins
In this episode of Talking Real Money, Don and Tom sound the alarm on a troubling trend: more people are dipping into their 401(k)s for emergencies. While hardship withdrawals are allowed under IRS rules, they come with serious penalties, taxes, and long-term setbacks. The hosts stress the importance of building an emergency fund before maxing out retirement contributions to avoid turning your future into a piggy bank. They also re...
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