Talking Real Money - Investing Talk

Burgers for Bitcoin

09 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don and Tom kick off this episode by responding to a one-star Apple Podcast reviewer who promised to upgrade to five stars—if they correct their all...

Burgers for Bitcoin

09 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?Don and Tom kick off this episode by responding to a one-star Apple Podcast reviewer who promised to upgrade to five stars—if th...

Annuity University

08 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this hard-hitting episode, Don and Tom expose “Retirement Planning University”—a slick, misleading marketing operation posing as a legitimate...

Annuity University

08 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?In this hard-hitting episode, Don and Tom expose “Retirement Planning University”—a slick, misleading marketing operation po...

Brokers and Models

07 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is your portfolio built by a broker or a model? Don and Tom break down the surprisingly persistent patterns of old-school broker portfolios—loaded w...

Brokers and Models

07 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?Is your portfolio built by a broker or a model? Don and Tom break down the surprisingly persistent patterns of old-school broker p...

Solar Scams, Pig Butchers

04 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this fast-moving, fraud-fighting episode of Talking Real Money, Tom Cock is joined by longtime consumer advocate Herb Weisbaum (aka The ConsumerMan...

Solar Scams, Pig Butchers

04 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?In this fast-moving, fraud-fighting episode of Talking Real Money, Tom Cock is joined by longtime consumer advocate Herb Weisbaum ...

Gen Z's Retirement Edge?

02 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Gen Z may just be schooling the rest of us in retirement savings—sort of. Don breaks down why the kids are all right… and also why they’re misle...

Gen Z's Retirement Edge?

02 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?Gen Z may just be schooling the rest of us in retirement savings—sort of. Don breaks down why the kids are all right… and also...

Highs Hype

01 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The market hit another “all-time high”—shocking no one. Don dismantles the myth that record highs are reasons to panic or pull back, reminding l...

Highs Hype

01 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?The market hit another “all-time high”—shocking no one. Don dismantles the myth that record highs are reasons to panic or pu...

Dr. Doom or Dr. Boom

30 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don and Tom tear into the lunacy of financial predictions—starting with famed doomsayer Nouriel Roubini suddenly turning optimistic (is that a good ...

Dr. Doom or Dr. Boom

30 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?Don and Tom tear into the lunacy of financial predictions—starting with famed doomsayer Nouriel Roubini suddenly turning optimis...

Question Time with Tom & Roxy

27 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tom welcomes Roxy Butner back to field listener questions on retirement income, Roth vs. traditional 401(k) choices, car financing math, leftover 529 ...

Question Time with Tom & Roxy

27 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?Tom welcomes Roxy Butner back to field listener questions on retirement income, Roth vs. traditional 401(k) choices, car financing...

Behavior Beats Brilliance

26 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Don and Tom dive into a revealing YouGov survey that shows Americans might not be as overconfident as we thought—except when it com...

Behavior Beats Brilliance

26 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?In this episode, Don and Tom dive into a revealing YouGov survey that shows Americans might not be as overconfident as we thought—...

Can't Have Everything

25 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don tackles the dangerous myth of “safe” high-yield investments, calling out misleading financial advice around covered call funds and non-traded ...

Can't Have Everything

25 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?Don tackles the dangerous myth of “safe” high-yield investments, calling out misleading financial advice around covered call f...

Gold Medal Worthy?

24 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don flies solo from Florida while Tom continues his Euro-tour, tackling the deep flaws in Morningstar’s mutual fund and target-date fund ratings. He...

Gold Medal Worthy?

24 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?Don flies solo from Florida while Tom continues his Euro-tour, tackling the deep flaws in Morningstar’s mutual fund and target-d...

Low Risk Fantasies

23 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don and Tom expose the seductive illusion of “wealth without risk” by dissecting the explosion of equity-hedged ETFs and mutual funds. They tear i...

Low Risk Fantasies

23 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?Don and Tom expose the seductive illusion of “wealth without risk” by dissecting the explosion of equity-hedged ETFs and mutua...

Fast Paced Friday

21 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

CORRECTION: During the 13:45 caller, I gave erroneous advice on the withdrawal rules for an inherited IRA. Given that this was his father’s IRA, he ...

Fast Paced Friday

21 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?CORRECTION: During the 13:45 caller, I gave erroneous advice on the withdrawal rules for an inherited IRA. Given that this was his...

Math Over Models

18 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don and Tom dive into the human obsession with prediction—especially in finance—and why models fail us more than they help. They dissect the CAPE ...

Math Over Models

18 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?Don and Tom dive into the human obsession with prediction—especially in finance—and why models fail us more than they help. Th...

Home Bias Harm

17 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don and Tom tackle the behavioral trap of “home bias” in investing—why U.S. investors tend to overinvest domestically and why it’s dangerous. ...

Home Bias Harm

17 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?Don and Tom tackle the behavioral trap of “home bias” in investing—why U.S. investors tend to overinvest domestically and wh...

Stock Picking Trap

16 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talking Real Money, Don and Tom take aim at one of the most persistent investing mistakes: owning individual stocks. With humor an...

Stock Picking Trap

16 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?In this episode of Talking Real Money, Don and Tom take aim at one of the most persistent investing mistakes: owning individual s...

Asking Tom and Roxy

13 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tom and Roxy dive into listener questions with sharp advice and sharper metaphors—like why a 1,000-point drop in the Dow is more like a slight tempe...

Asking Tom and Roxy

13 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?Tom and Roxy dive into listener questions with sharp advice and sharper metaphors—like why a 1,000-point drop in the Dow is more...

Retirement Disorder

12 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This episode explores the psychological and financial side of retirement planning through the lens of entropy. Don and Tom dive into an article from K...

Retirement Disorder

12 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?This episode explores the psychological and financial side of retirement planning through the lens of entropy. Don and Tom dive in...

Misplaced Money

11 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don and Tom dig into America’s $1.7 trillion in forgotten retirement accounts—29 million of them! They walk listeners through how to search for th...

Misplaced Money

11 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?Don and Tom dig into America’s $1.7 trillion in forgotten retirement accounts—29 million of them! They walk listeners through ...

Financial IQ Test

11 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don and Tom salute high-schoolers who tackled the National Personal Finance Challenge, then test listeners (and each other) with the same nine-questio...

Financial IQ Test

11 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?Don and Tom salute high-schoolers who tackled the National Personal Finance Challenge, then test listeners (and each other) with t...

Too Many ETFs?

09 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don and Tom explore the evolution, promise, and pitfalls of Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs). While ETFs have become the dominant investment vehicle, boa...

Too Many ETFs?

09 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?Don and Tom explore the evolution, promise, and pitfalls of Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs). While ETFs have become the dominant inv...

Q&A: Debt and Condos

06 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this Friday Q&A episode, Don answers a wide range of listener questions, covering everything from market timing behavior and condo pitfalls to port...

Q&A: Debt and Condos

06 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?In this Friday Q&A episode, Don answers a wide range of listener questions, covering everything from market timing behavior an...

Rube Goldberg Investing

05 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A chaotic day leads Don into a deep (and entertaining) dive into the futility of market timing, spurred by a recent Morningstar article on Pacer’s T...

Rube Goldberg Investing

05 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?A chaotic day leads Don into a deep (and entertaining) dive into the futility of market timing, spurred by a recent Morningstar ar...

The Best Not Best?

04 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don and Tom unpack Morningstar’s latest “5 of the Best” investing methods, praising the simplicity of balanced and target-date funds but warning...

The Best Not Best?

04 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?Don and Tom unpack Morningstar’s latest “5 of the Best” investing methods, praising the simplicity of balanced and target-da...

Crypto Markets Efficient?

03 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talking Real Money, Don and Tom reluctantly return to the topic of Bitcoin, using its recent price spike to explore deeper questio...

Crypto Markets Efficient?

03 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?In this episode of Talking Real Money, Don and Tom reluctantly return to the topic of Bitcoin, using its recent price spike to ex...

Only Six Minutes?

02 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don and Tom dive into a new study showing the average investor spends just six minutes researching a stock—most of it just watching the price move...

Only Six Minutes?

02 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?Don and Tom dive into a new study showing the average investor spends just six minutes researching a stock—most of it just wat...

Bonds, Bluffers, and Buckets

30 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don fields a fresh batch of listener questions in this all-audio edition. A longtime fan asks whether a municipal bond ETF (VTEB) is a smarter place t...

Bonds, Bluffers, and Buckets

30 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?Don fields a fresh batch of listener questions in this all-audio edition. A longtime fan asks whether a municipal bond ETF (VTEB) ...

Bad Advice the Norm?

29 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don and Tom roll through Memorial Day weekend with a little heat from the audience, a breakdown of where Americans get their financial advice (hint: i...

Bad Advice the Norm?

29 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?Don and Tom roll through Memorial Day weekend with a little heat from the audience, a breakdown of where Americans get their finan...

9%? Not a Chance

28 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This episode brings the heat on so-called “financial educators” masquerading as fiduciaries while hawking high-commission indexed annuities. Don a...

9%? Not a Chance

28 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?This episode brings the heat on so-called “financial educators” masquerading as fiduciaries while hawking high-commission inde...

Target Date Truth

27 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tom takes a break from vacationing to join Don in a deep dive on target date funds—the good, the mediocre, and the fee-loaded ugly. They break down ...

Target Date Truth

27 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?Tom takes a break from vacationing to join Don in a deep dive on target date funds—the good, the mediocre, and the fee-loaded ug...

Queries and Clarity

23 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this lighter (but still info-packed) Friday Q&A episode, Don tackles a mixed bag of real-world money questions—from Roth conversions and selling ...

Queries and Clarity

23 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?In this lighter (but still info-packed) Friday Q&A episode, Don tackles a mixed bag of real-world money questions—from Roth ...

Alternative Adversities

22 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don shares a deeply personal tale from 2007 when, as an HOA treasurer, he dodged a financial landmine involving auction-rate securities—just before ...

Alternative Adversities

22 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?Don shares a deeply personal tale from 2007 when, as an HOA treasurer, he dodged a financial landmine involving auction-rate secur...

Downgrade Impact

21 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tom and Don open the show with tech woes and quips before diving into a serious discussion about the U.S. credit rating downgrade and its implications...

Downgrade Impact

21 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?Tom and Don open the show with tech woes and quips before diving into a serious discussion about the U.S. credit rating downgrade ...

$8 Trillion Turnaround

20 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don returns from a exhausting, comedy-of-errors flight to discuss how the markets pulled an equally wild round trip—plunging, then rebounding to the...

$8 Trillion Turnaround

20 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?Don returns from a exhausting, comedy-of-errors flight to discuss how the markets pulled an equally wild round trip—plunging, th...

A Dimensional Mind

19 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don and Tom welcome Weston Wellington of Dimensional Funds for a rare and richly insightful conversation covering market volatility, media noise, dive...

A Dimensional Mind

19 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?Don and Tom welcome Weston Wellington of Dimensional Funds for a rare and richly insightful conversation covering market volatilit...

You Ask. Don Rants.

16 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don’s back from NYC with pride (and maybe jet lag), tackling a full slate of thoughtful listener questions. From Roth conversions and the TSP G Fund...

You Ask. Don Rants.

16 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?Don’s back from NYC with pride (and maybe jet lag), tackling a full slate of thoughtful listener questions. From Roth conversion...

Diversify or Die (Poor)?

15 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don and Tom launch into a globe-trotting episode—complete with multilingual greetings and a cameo from Cookie Monster—before diving into the serio...

Diversify or Die (Poor)?

15 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?Don and Tom launch into a globe-trotting episode—complete with multilingual greetings and a cameo from Cookie Monster—before d...

There's an Easier Way

14 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Don and Tom rewind to the not-so-golden era of Wall Street paperwork, bringing a modern perspective to old-school investing habits. T...

There's an Easier Way

14 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?In this episode, Don and Tom rewind to the not-so-golden era of Wall Street paperwork, bringing a modern perspective to old-school...

Two-Thirds are Wrong

13 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don and Tom take aim at America's favorite financial myths—starting with the widespread belief that real estate and gold are the best long-term inve...

Two-Thirds are Wrong

13 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?Don and Tom take aim at America's favorite financial myths—starting with the widespread belief that real estate and gold ar...

Investing in Scary Times

12 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Don and Tom tackle the investor's most persistent foe—fear—especially during volatile markets. They draw on insights from Vanguar...

Investing in Scary Times

12 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?In this episode, Don and Tom tackle the investor's most persistent foe—fear—especially during volatile markets. They draw...

Six Subject Show

09 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Six Subject Show

09 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?In this extra-packed Friday Q&A episode, Don powers through a barrage of listener questions while recovering from an attempted...

Hidden Wealth

08 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 t...

Hidden Wealth

08 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?On this Talking Real Money episode, Don and Tom tag-team one of the biggest financial myths around: your house as a retirement p...

Will I Have Enough?

07 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Will I Have Enough?

07 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?Tom and Roxy Butner to co-host a packed episode of Talking Real Money, tackling the ever-elusive "magic number" for ret...

Lessons from a Legend

06 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Lessons from a Legend

06 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?Tom Cock takes the mic solo (with Don recovering from a “procedure”) and brings in advisor Roxy Butner for a special live epis...

Money Lessons That Matter

05 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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. Fr...

Money Lessons That Matter

05 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?Don and Tom get real about the most important lessons every young person should learn about money—before life (and bad decisions...

All Questions, No Dumb Ones

01 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 lis...

All Questions, No Dumb Ones

01 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?Don records this Q&A episode a bit early—right before heart surgery—to make sure listeners don’t miss their Friday dose....

Modern Money Myths Meet Their Match

01 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On this myth-busting episode of Talking Real Money, Don and Tom tackle persistent financial fables that sound logical but often lead investors astray...

Modern Money Myths Meet Their Match

01 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?On this myth-busting episode of Talking Real Money, Don and Tom tackle persistent financial fables that sound logical but often l...

Scares, Stockpiles and Smart Planning

30 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tariffs, fear, and stockpiling—oh my! Don and Tom break down how consumer sentiment, not just consumer spending, is shifting dramatically under the ...

Scares, Stockpiles and Smart Planning

30 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?Tariffs, fear, and stockpiling—oh my! Don and Tom break down how consumer sentiment, not just consumer spending, is shifting dra...

Your Brain’s Investing Mistakes

29 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Our memories—and sometimes our parents'—shape how we invest, often more than logic or data. Don and Tom break down how generational financial trau...

Your Brain’s Investing Mistakes

29 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?Our memories—and sometimes our parents'—shape how we invest, often more than logic or data. Don and Tom break down how ge...

Leverage: Fast Fortune or Failure

28 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 l...

Leverage: Fast Fortune or Failure

28 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?Don and Tom dive into the seductive but dangerous world of leverage, starting with real estate and quickly moving into the even ri...