Tom Cock hosts this week’s Talking Real Money solo while Don visits his mom. He reflects on Appella Wealth’s annual client event, where clients talked more about travel, grandkids, and weather than money—showing that the firm’s real value is helping people worry less about markets and more about life. Tom takes listener calls covering whether to renew CDs or move into bond funds, the high costs of closed-end muni funds, portfolio planning with Roth IRAs and target-date funds, estate planning with mutual fund capital gains, and frustrations with annuities. Throughout, Tom stresses planning, simplicity, ignoring noise, and putting money in its proper place.

0:04 Don out visiting his mom, Tom hosts solo

0:48 Market news and Appella Wealth annual client event recap

2:36 What clients really talk about: travel, family, weather—not money

3:25 Why clients worry less about markets when planning is in place

5:59 The importance of advisors (or DIY) in managing rebalancing, taxes, RMDs

7:09 Caller Bill (MN): Renew $200k CDs at 4% vs move into bond fund

11:25 Caller Jim (TX): High-fee muni closed-end funds, whether to sell

13:20 Caller Tom (VA): Planning Roth IRA allocations, target-date funds at Fidelity

18:53 Caller Gene (MD): $8M estate, big mutual fund gains, reducing taxes for heirs

28:12 Caller Bernadette (WA): Regrets annuity with USAA, options for moving it

31:18 Tom’s guidance: why annuities disappoint and fiduciary help matters

32:41 How to “put money in its place” if you’re a DIY investor

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