Talking Real Money - Investing Talk

For your portfolio to be properly diversified, how many stocks should you own? Is ten enough or do you need ten thousand? We share the Motley Fool's perspective and our own. Plus, listeners ask: What kind of credit card do we suggest for maximum reward potential? How do older investors find the financial help needed for a fiscally disinterested spouse? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

The latest hot investing craze, thematic funds, are actually a recycled old idea, sector funds. As with any other attempt to nbeat the market, we found that "thematic" fund investors actually for worse than the funds themselves. Individual investors continue to prove thatm overall, the market is typically unbeatable. Plus, we show you how to find the best 403b plans. Listeners ask: Is a...

You need to understand risk to be a successful investor. Most of us already have a very safe investment and should take risk elsewhere in our portfolio. What is risk and how can you manage it? We hear from listeners asking: How should an 80-year old's money be invested? How can you find a great financial advisor? What is the best way to invest $1.6 million? How should a recent divorced woman...

The financial product industry knows that you want the highest possible retunr with little (or no) risk. Given the amount of money invoiced, they are willing to try almost anything to pull off this illusion. However, no one has EVER been successful. Don and Tom discuss the latest attempt to provide investors with a near riskless income. Plus we take your questions: Does an employer's contribu...

Today's question and qnswer session features: Does a CD ladder work for portfolio protection? Is Robin Hood's Gold account worth the fee? In moving from indicvidual stocsk to ETFs can one stock's loss offest another's gain? Can we focus a program on the income generating phase of life? Do these three funds make a decent retirement portfolio? Learn more about your ad choices. Vi...

After interest rates hit 5%, some investors seem content to stick with savings and CDs. Tom and Don discuss the downside oif settling for today's safe money returns. What about other investments that promise "safe", high yields? Listeners want to know about: The wisdom of investing in a real estate trust? The impact of interest rate changes on pension payouts? Learn more about your...

In this episode, we share several of the biggest blunders that keep us from building the wealth we need for the future. Learn how to be a better investor with some really simple lifestyle and investing tweaks. Plus, we hear from our listeners: Does paying an advisor 1% per year mean that the 4% rule becomes the 3% rule? A real estate broker believes that real estate agents will thrive despite the...

Americans have a lot of money in cash, earning essentially nothing. Others are happy earning a nice, safe 5% on short-term CDs and bonds. Yet, we could be shortchaging ourselves in the future by not investing properly. Don shares more details on his summer Talking Real Money Road Trip and we discuss the ramifications of the commission settlement by Realtors. Then, on to listeners phone calls: What...

Sometimes the hottest investments end up turning icy cold. Today, we share some of once exciting investments that destroyed much of their investors wealth. Plus, listeners join in to discuss: The positive impact our shows have had on a finnacial life. What do we think of a proposed allocation to TSP funds? How do we feel about investing in AI and do we have any suggestions? Learn more about your a...

We want to answer everyone's questions, without exception, However, every once in awhile a "trolll" takes advantage of our desire to present all sides of an issues. So, to be fair, I give the same listener three "last words" on crypto, before ending his participation. Then: What would it take to become a financial advisor? What are immediate annuities? Is it okay to play w...

The desire to "keep up with the Joneses" is ingrained in is. However, the result of financial envy can be disastrous. Discover why you need to avoid money jealousy. Plus, listeners ask: How much of a portfolio should be in this particular ETF? What are we referring to when we talk about 7% annuities? How can an investor find a 100% fee-only fiduciary advisor? Learn more about your ad cho...

With the stock markets at "all-time highs," should you wait a while before investing? In essence, can you accurately time the market? Then a bunch of listeners call in: What should an older investor do to create a simple retirement portfolio? Does it always make sense to tap taxable accounts before taking money from tax-advantaged account? How can an older person get started investing fo...

After experiencing some radio show technical problems, Tom and Don discuss the shockingly large percentage of your money that goes to Wall Street firms and why should be wary of alternative investments. Then, they bemoan the lack of financial literacy education and the horrible sales pitch passed of as education. Plus, a subject of a financial advisor profile lies about the fees he charges. Listen...

With Retiremeet, question flow increased. So, we added a special Monday Q&A Edition with Tom and Don. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!

This week: A comment about Don's Readastorus podcast. Avoiding taxes on Social Security. Using HSA benefits to indirectly fund a Roth. ChatGPT as an investment advisor. A couple of Bitcoin boosters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!

Today, we swim against our demographic and address the issue of teengae investing. Don't you wish you would have started investing 30, 40, or even 50 years ago? Today, it's easier than ever to invest while young and we share some thoughts on starting early. Plus, listeners ask: For a "deep dive" into proper account asset allocation. What do we think of these perceived shortcomi...

Nvidia. Apple. Microsoft. A huge chunk of the market is made up of just a few high-tech stocks. Yet, today's hot tech often grows cold. Once again, Tom and Don make the case for diversification in your investment portfolio. We also discuss the foolishness of collectible "investing." Then callers want to know: In a banking crisis, can we lose ownership of our stocks? What's the...

Managing your money and building a better financial future are easier than you think. All you need to know are a few simple things you must do and a few you must avoid. Plus, we hear from a bunch of listeners: In what order should retirement accounts be tapped? What happens to stocks if the banking system collapse? How should a family member's portfolio be invested for assisted living? Learn...

The very worst thing you can do with money is gambling. Unlike the stock market, which has had an upward bias due to general economic growth, gambling is a less than zero sum game for everyone but the house. Today we talk about the dispicable things that gambling promoters do to keep you filling their pockets. Listeners ask: What do we think of Schwab's Theme ETFs? Is it better to save pre-ta...

Generation X is suffereing from a savings crisis. We know it sounds boring, but without a regular savings plan it's hard to to build wealth. The earlier you start the better. We have some ideas to make saving easier. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!

Here is the second part of our annual Retiremeet episode featuring a short visit from Paul Merriman and a few of your questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!

It's our annual Retiremeet special program in which Don wings it from our big annual event in Bellevue. In this episode, Dimensional Fund's Weston Wellington drops by for a chat about the science of investing and Tom briefly passes through. Plus, a couple of questions from attendees and listeners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!

Overconfidence is a financial killer. Far too many of us are certain that we know the direction of interest rates because there are just two choices: up or down. But, it's still just guessing. You can't know any part of the future. Then, listeners ask: What is the maximum number of clients an advisor can properly service? What do we think of Phoenix Capital Group? Learn more about your a...

This week: What is the best way to buy a new car? How should younger people plan for healthcare in retirement? Should a total bond market fund be in a taxable brokerage account? Finally, four questions in one about creating a better portfolio in retirement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Questions? Comments? Click!

To help you avoid some of the mistakes that can spoil your retirement, we share what many retirees wish they had done differently. So, Dave, only the wealthy can afford a house? We also look at some real problems with Dave Ramsey's home ownership advice. The QQQ celebrates an anniversary, but is it even needed? Plus we hear from you: In what order should money be withdrawn from different kind...