Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share More Raised Hands
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
More Raised Hands
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 explaining how bond index funds are built and breaking down the tax realities of non-retirement brokerage accounts. A caller wrestles with guilt over a bad annuity recommendation for a dying relative, prompting a raw conversation about the system’s moral middle ground. Don shares his own early days as a product peddler, highlights red flags to look for in firm ADVs, and walks through the Medicare vs. FEHB decision matrix. If you’re seeking peace, clarity, or just a solid tax lesson, this one delivers.
0:04 Opening reflection on aging, money, and why this show matters
1:17 Reminder to send questions via TalkingRealMoney.com or call live on Saturdays
2:38 Listener shares regret over a bad annuity recommendation from a familiar advisor
4:02 Don’s early days as a top-tier salesman turned financial “advisor”
5:21 Why most advisors aren’t fiduciaries—and why it matters
6:29 MarketWatch study reveals only ~1% of advisors are true fiduciaries
7:58 Never trust financial advice based on friendship or affinity
8:49 Next caller: How are bond index funds weighted?
9:15 Explanation: Bond indexes are also market value weighted
10:37 Why bond ETFs are mostly U.S. Treasury securities
11:34 Should a retired federal employee with FEHB skip Medicare Part B?
13:12 Don’s personal Medicare math and “if it ain’t broke…” approach
13:41 New CFP asks: What should I look for in a firm’s ADV as a job seeker?
15:02 Red flags: Conflicts of interest, broker registrations, insurance licenses
17:18 Align your investment beliefs with the firm’s philosophy
17:31 Last question: How is a taxable brokerage account taxed?
18:42 Explanation of interest, dividends, and potential capital gains
20:31 Don reiterates that real help—not a sales pitch—is always the goal
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
View all episodes
By Don McDonald
4.5
574574 ratings
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 explaining how bond index funds are built and breaking down the tax realities of non-retirement brokerage accounts. A caller wrestles with guilt over a bad annuity recommendation for a dying relative, prompting a raw conversation about the system’s moral middle ground. Don shares his own early days as a product peddler, highlights red flags to look for in firm ADVs, and walks through the Medicare vs. FEHB decision matrix. If you’re seeking peace, clarity, or just a solid tax lesson, this one delivers.
0:04 Opening reflection on aging, money, and why this show matters
1:17 Reminder to send questions via TalkingRealMoney.com or call live on Saturdays
2:38 Listener shares regret over a bad annuity recommendation from a familiar advisor
4:02 Don’s early days as a top-tier salesman turned financial “advisor”
5:21 Why most advisors aren’t fiduciaries—and why it matters
6:29 MarketWatch study reveals only ~1% of advisors are true fiduciaries
7:58 Never trust financial advice based on friendship or affinity
8:49 Next caller: How are bond index funds weighted?
9:15 Explanation: Bond indexes are also market value weighted
10:37 Why bond ETFs are mostly U.S. Treasury securities
11:34 Should a retired federal employee with FEHB skip Medicare Part B?
13:12 Don’s personal Medicare math and “if it ain’t broke…” approach
13:41 New CFP asks: What should I look for in a firm’s ADV as a job seeker?
15:02 Red flags: Conflicts of interest, broker registrations, insurance licenses
17:18 Align your investment beliefs with the firm’s philosophy
17:31 Last question: How is a taxable brokerage account taxed?
18:42 Explanation of interest, dividends, and potential capital gains
20:31 Don reiterates that real help—not a sales pitch—is always the goal
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
More shows like Talking Real Money - Investing Talk
View all
The Clark Howard Podcast
5,403 Listeners
Sound Retirement Radio
440 Listeners
Your Money, Your Wealth
755 Listeners
Jill on Money with Jill Schlesinger
1,914 Listeners
The Stacking Benjamins Show
1,953 Listeners
The Retirement and IRA Show
728 Listeners
Retirement Answer Man
1,293 Listeners
Retire Sooner with Wes Moss
430 Listeners
Retirement Starts Today
488 Listeners
Big Picture Retirement®
495 Listeners
Stay Wealthy Retirement Podcast
553 Listeners
Sound Investing
330 Listeners
Ready For Retirement
776 Listeners
Talking Real Money Minute - Investing Advice and Money Musings
14 Listeners
The Rob Berger Show
150 Listeners
Retirement Planning Education, with Andy Panko
704 Listeners