Don and Tom unpack why even smart, financially literate people sometimes need a financial advisor — prompted by Morningstar’s Christine Benz explaining why she hires one. They explore the value of second opinions, professional organization, tax guidance, spending permission, and succession planning. The conversation also draws lines around who doesn’t need an advisor (DIY investors under 50 with good discipline) versus who does (retirees, disorganized investors, and anyone over 65 facing complexity). Later, they tackle listener questions about small-cap value ETFs — comparing AVUV, DFSV, and SLYV — and close with a retirement scenario review for a disciplined 77-year-old federal retiree. A lighthearted finish touches on long-term care insurance, empty nesting, and the Raiders’ black hole stadium.

0:04 Reintroducing the need for financial help (but not that kind of help)

1:17 Christine Benz’s surprising admission: she has a financial planner

2:27 The value of a “responsible second opinion”

3:25 Why Benz says peace of mind has real value

3:50 Reasons to hire an advisor: second opinions, tax guidance, rebalancing, perspective

4:54 When hourly financial advice makes sense

6:38 Organization and accountability as hidden benefits

8:08 The disinterested spouse problem

8:40 Why succession planning matters more than you think

9:32 “Permission to spend” — an underrated role of advisors

10:19 Who doesn’t need an advisor: young savers and disciplined investors

11:27 When to get a second opinion even if you’re DIY

12:18 Spotting bad advice and hidden annuities

13:03 Who does need an advisor: hodgepodge portfolios and over-50 investors

14:09 Complexity and the need for help beyond 65

14:47 The problem of small investors being preyed upon by salespeople

15:52 Listener question: adding small-cap value exposure

16:47 Comparing AVUV, DFSV, and SLYV performance and structure

19:00 Expense ratios and diversification differences

20:18 Don and Tom’s ETF verdict

21:10 Retirement checkup: 77-year-old with pension and LTC coverage

22:06 Evaluating liquidity, income, and survivorship

23:48 The vanishing quality of long-term care policies

24:56 Tom’s empty-nest plans and aching knee

25:43 Raiders jokes and the black-painted stadium

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