Talking Real Money - Investing Talk

By: Don McDonald
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  • Summary

  • 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).
    2022
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Economics Personal Finance
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Episodes
  • Six Subject Show

    Six Subject Show
    May 9 2025
    In this extra-packed Friday Q&A episode, Don powers through a barrage of listener questions while recovering from an attempted heart ablation (yep, he's okay—but not fixed). He dives into everything from sketchy SIMPLE IRA fees and Roth rollover rules, to when it actually makes sense to take Social Security. You’ll also hear a checklist of questions to grill a potential financial advisor with, a primer on small-cap value stocks, and a lightning-round suggestion for international bond exposure. And yes, he dishes on why many advisors don’t actually want you to read those pesky prospectuses. 0:04 Don's in his VO booth—surgery didn’t go as planned1:38 SIMPLE IRA fees: 5% commissions and better alternatives3:53 Roth IRA strategy: match in SIMPLE, max out Roth with AVGE8:35 Why that Raymond James advisor doesn’t want change9:43 Social Security breakeven isn’t one-size-fits-all11:35 Roth IRA transfer to Robinhood: does 5-year clock reset?13:04 What to ask when hiring a financial advisor16:06 Small-cap value vs. other stocks explained18:59 Comment: Prospectuses scare advisors (and why)21:42 Best international bond index fund? Try BNDX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    27 mins
  • Hidden Wealth

    Hidden Wealth
    May 8 2025
    On this Talking Real Money episode, Don and Tom tag-team one of the biggest financial myths around: your house as a retirement plan. With over $35 trillion locked in U.S. home equity, they challenge the idea that owning a home equals wealth. From the emotional pull of mortgage payoffs to the liquidity traps of reverse mortgages and HELOCs, the duo breaks down the risks, rewards, and real returns of homeownership. Then it’s on to listener questions about IRAs, 401(k)s, rollovers, and... fiber (yes, the breakfast and internet kind). And they end with a little brag—because 154,000 monthly listeners can’t be wrong. 0:04 $35 trillion tied up in homes—does that make us rich or just house-poor?1:20 Post-COVID home equity boom: 80% growth, but at what cost?2:53 Renting vs. buying: the case for liquidity over bricks3:44 Property tax pain for retirees and why Florida isn't so tax-free after all4:21 Mortgage payoff: emotional win, financial mistake?5:48 Why home equity shouldn’t be your retirement income plan6:37 Housing’s historic returns: barely 3% pre-inflation7:54 Forced savings illusion and the real cost of home improvements8:45 If you’d invested instead of buying… you’d have more9:35 Reverse mortgages, HELOCs, and why it’s harder to get cash out10:19 Home equity lines now ~8%—not cheap or easy to get12:30 Big picture: don’t include home equity in your retirement spending plan14:05 Florida vs. California: which really costs more to live in?16:38 Insurance, taxes, and Florida's fraud problem18:50 Listener Q: Can you do both an IRA and a 401(k) in the same year? (Yes.)20:40 IRA vs. 401(k): pros, cons, and personal strategy22:53 Listener Q: Should we roll an old 403(b) to a Roth IRA?23:44 Talking Real Money’s audience numbers: brag-worthy and booming25:19 Retirement prep tip: match income to lifestyle before you retire Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    29 mins
  • Will I Have Enough?

    Will I Have Enough?
    May 7 2025
    Tom and Roxy Butner to co-host a packed episode of Talking Real Money, tackling the ever-elusive "magic number" for retirement with a healthy dose of realism, humor, and data. They dig into a Northwestern Mutual study that shows Americans lowering their retirement savings goals—even as confidence continues to slip. Roxy breaks down why retirement planning is all about cash flow, not some mythical lump sum. They field questions on company stock in 401(k)s, bonus check strategies, RMD tax strategies, and how to get young people started right. From Monte Carlo analysis to Roth IRA advantages, the duo bust myths and offer practical steps listeners of all ages can act on today. 0:04 Tom introduces Roxy and the episode’s core question: “Do I have enough to retire?”1:01 Why the idea of a single “magic number” is misleading and varies by lifestyle2:41 Roxy: $600k may be enough—or $3M might not be; it’s all about cash flow4:32 Despite lowering their goals, only 51% believe their retirement plan will work6:15 Roxy explains Monte Carlo analysis and why asset type (Roth vs. pre-tax) matters7:31 Why tracking actual spending matters more than estimates before retirement8:32 Caller: Should we sell the company stock in my wife’s 401(k)?9:18 Tom warns of overconfidence and stock concentration risk, citing WaMu collapse10:45 Roxy and Tom agree: diversify ASAP—don’t let company loyalty cloud judgment12:14 Historical cautionary tales on once-great companies that fell apart13:26 Regional bias: How geography skews investor confidence in local companies14:46 Caller: What to do with a $20k bonus after maxing out the 401(k)?16:11 Roth IRA contribution options for him and his wife, and the 5-year rule18:10 Bonus: Enhanced catch-up contributions for ages 60–63 explained20:31 Caller asks about RMDs, tax planning, and long-term care deductions21:53 Only qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) avoid tax on RMDs23:24 Roth contributions early in life can lead to massive long-term advantages24:47 Caller asks about a bond fund change in her HRA and 60/40 portfolio safety29:45 Why “safe” is the wrong word—know your plan, goals, and risk tolerance31:13 Caller wants her daughter to connect with Roxy for help managing her paycheck32:54 Yes—Roxy helps young clients with budgeting and financial foundations34:31 Why early saving and simple investing in your 20s is so powerful36:09 Tom announces upcoming trip to Portland and free portfolio reviews37:08 Final notes: building trust, long-term planning, and why they love the work Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    46 mins
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Profile Image for B. Stiner

Low-Key Financial Advice

If you like Clark Howard, you'll like this show. It's financial advice given in a calm, relaxed voice. With all of the yelling that goes on these days on radio and tv, it's refreshing to have voices that speak calmly on their subject.

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