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).
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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).
You and Tom spend this episode unpacking a surprisingly liberating idea for investors: that average is good enough. Kicking off with your own story about a two-star podcast rating, you two stumble into a bigger truth—most people are chasing a level of portfolio perfection that doesn’t matter. Christine Benz’s Morningstar piece becomes the backbone of the discussion, contrasting “maximizers” (engineers, tinkerers, over-optimizers) with “satisfizers” (simple, diversified, sane). From there you hit Tesla’s trillion-dollar pay package drama, Bito’s goofy “dividends,” SGOV vs. CD ladders, fears about private equity sneaking into retirement plans, and a few classic Don-and-Tom tangents. The message: stop overthinking, build a sensible portfolio, and go live your life.
0:04 Don’s two-star review existential crisis and the epiphany about doing things for joy
1:16 Why being “average” in investing (and life) is perfectly fine
1:45 Elon Musk compensation debate and ETF shareholders not getting a vote
3:12 Don’s “brilliant raving lunatic” take on Elon and Tesla’s dominance
4:38 The kings of tangentiality finally introduce the show
5:55 Christine Benz and the “Good Enough Portfolio” philosophy
6:36 Maximizers vs. satisfizers explained (plus Bogle bobbleheads)
8:53 Why over-optimization rarely improves results
9:56 Happiness and second-guessing: satisfizers win
11:22 Time costs, tax worries, and the illusion of finding a perfect portfolio
12:33 Two-fund vs. ten-fund portfolios and why simplicity works
13:55 Working harder doesn’t usually make you richer—your job does
14:25 Listener letter: long-time fan from Silverdale reminisces about 1988
15:26 Tom recalls being put on the air after several glasses of wine
16:03 Acorns user asks about BITO’s wild “dividends”
18:10 Why BITO’s payouts are actually return of capital and cannibalization
19:58 BITO’s volatility roller-coaster (standard deviation 53)
20:12 SGOV vs. CD ladders for short-term retirement cash
22:07 Why emergency funds shouldn’t sit in a Roth IRA
22:58 Listener concerned about private equity creeping into 401(k)s
23:52 PE risks, political pressure, and greater-fool concerns
25:27 Don thanks listener “AlwaysLearning1953” for the positive review
26:49 Murder of Crows, sound effects, and the power of scary crows
27:36 New Tales Told update—more stories on the way
28:38 Saturday live show reminder and flyover banter
28:58 Don’s Kansas/Leavenworth childhood story detour
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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).
