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).
Don and Tom kick off this episode with a satirical bang—mocking the apocalyptic tone of a MarketWatch article about the “Fourth Turning,” a cyclical doom prophecy claiming America faces a cataclysmic reset every 80–100 years. Citing wars, depressions, and now AI, wealth taxes, and the fall of the dollar, the hosts break down the fatalistic tone, expose the fear-marketing behind it, and reassure listeners that, historically, markets have recovered—and rewarded long-term investors.
0:04 Faux alien warning: the Fourth Turning economic apocalypse is coming
1:16 Dissecting the MarketWatch article and the “Fourth Turning” theory
2:26 Peak catastrophe by 2030? AI job loss, collapsing dollar, wealth taxes
3:38 Don asks: what is this guy selling? Spoiler: $100M wealth club
6:01 $180k to join R360—clearly not for the average listener
6:33 Don’s “financial flinch reflex” PSA spoof (ad)
7:41 Tom: “We love being scared”—AI panic and deepfake video fears
9:07 Caller Sue (68): Ready to retire with $820k and SS? Don says yes
13:05 Sue’s next step: get a fiduciary checkup, maybe run Monte Carlo
14:10 Tom runs one: 50th percentile = she hits zero at 98
15:32 Flexible withdrawal rates might work better than rigid 4%
16:34 Listener voicemail: Should we switch from Roth to Traditional now?
18:16 DT’s Roth vs. traditional strategy: save taxes while you can
20:14 WSJ article on taxes and stock gains—do ETFs instead
21:25 Tax basics for investors: capital gains rates and efficiency
23:26 Mad Men nostalgia and mid-century tax rates
25:15 TV detour: Bewitched vs. I Dream of Jeannie vs. Outlander
27:10 Back to calls: Theodore asks about 403(b) options in Burlington
29:10 Don explodes: garbage annuity vendors dominate the plan
31:01 Aspire is the only halfway-decent vendor… if you avoid their advisors
33:54 Don tells how an Albuquerque teacher got Vanguard into their plan
35:44 Aspire hack: use FundSource for no-load mutual funds
36:14 Caller Steve: hold 20 stocks or sell and rebalance?
37:53 Tom: hybrid approach. Don: depends on need. Watch tax bracket
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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).
