Talking Real Money - Investing Talk

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...

More Raised Hands

25 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 expl...

More Raised Hands

25 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?In this listener Q&A episode, Don dives into some powerful topics—from calling out the sales-driven heart of the financial s...

Gold Doesn't Work–Your Money Should

24 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ne...

Gold Doesn't Work–Your Money Should

24 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?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...

The Best New Strategy is Old

23 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When markets get bumpy, emotions take the wheel—and that’s exactly why Don spends this solo episode reminding listeners that logic, evidence, and ...

The Best New Strategy is Old

23 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?When markets get bumpy, emotions take the wheel—and that’s exactly why Don spends this solo episode reminding listeners that l...

Less Risk Can Cost More

22 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don flies solo on this episode of Talking Real Money, fielding calls and calling out the nonsense in fancy investment gimmicks. From market-neutral f...

Less Risk Can Cost More

22 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?Don flies solo on this episode of Talking Real Money, fielding calls and calling out the nonsense in fancy investment gimmicks. F...

Wall Street Wants You Scared

21 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talking Real Money, Don McDonald and Tom Cock discuss practical strategies for navigating recessions without panic or unnecessary m...

Wall Street Wants You Scared

21 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?In this episode of Talking Real Money, Don McDonald and Tom Cock discuss practical strategies for navigating recessions without pa...

Your Proper Risk

16 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don and Tom explore the role of risk, resilience, and rational investing as they tackle stock market uncertainty, Roth conversion confusion, and Robin...

Your Proper Risk

16 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?Don and Tom explore the role of risk, resilience, and rational investing as they tackle stock market uncertainty, Roth conversion ...

A Wild Ride

15 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Wild market swings, political chaos, and investor confusion set the stage for this episode. Don and Tom break down the emotional impact of volatility,...

A Wild Ride

15 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?Wild market swings, political chaos, and investor confusion set the stage for this episode. Don and Tom break down the emotional i...

A Fool and His Money...

14 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this classic swirl of candor, humor, and financial sense, Don and Tom tackle the human habit of financial foolishness—from betting big on specula...

A Fool and His Money...

14 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?In this classic swirl of candor, humor, and financial sense, Don and Tom tackle the human habit of financial foolishness—from be...

Q'in' and A'in'

11 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’s a full-on Q&A Friday as Don tackles listener questions on account consolidation, fund choices, proper bond allocation, and portfolio constructi...

Q'in' and A'in'

11 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?It’s a full-on Q&A Friday as Don tackles listener questions on account consolidation, fund choices, proper bond allocation, ...

Talking Real Rules

11 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Talking Real Rules

11 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?Don and Tom put popular retirement rules of thumb under the microscope—testing everything from the 4% withdrawal rule to the ide...

Tariffs Feed Inflation

09 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Tariffs Feed Inflation

09 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?This episode dives deep into the market’s latest mood swing and the potential impact of new tariffs on consumer costs—like the...

Ups and Downs

08 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Don and Tom address the market’s recent correction—without ever saying the “D-word.” They explain how global diversification ...

Ups and Downs

08 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?In this episode, Don and Tom address the market’s recent correction—without ever saying the “D-word.” They explain how glo...

Inviolate Investments

07 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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. ...

Inviolate Investments

07 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?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...

Capital Queries

04 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’s Q&A Day on Talking Real Money, and Don tackles listener questions on everything from crypto and REITs to emergency funds and IRA contributions...

Capital Queries

04 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?It’s Q&A Day on Talking Real Money, and Don tackles listener questions on everything from crypto and REITs to emergency fun...

Wait Long Enough?

03 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talking Real Money, Don and Tom dive deep into the question of whether long-term investing in stocks truly guarantees returns. Cha...

Wait Long Enough?

03 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?In this episode of Talking Real Money, Don and Tom dive deep into the question of whether long-term investing in stocks truly gua...

The Rich Half

02 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

At Talking Real Money, we emphasize fundamental financial principles like disciplined saving, diversification, and cautious investing—highlighted th...

The Rich Half

02 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Questions? Comments?At Talking Real Money, we emphasize fundamental financial principles like disciplined saving, diversification, and cautious invest...