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Talking Real Money - Investing Talk

Don McDonald
Financial Planning
Cryptocurrency
Exchange Traded Funds
Investment Strategies
Bitcoin
Investing
Social Security
Retirement
Retirement Planning
Mutual Funds
Dividends
Health Care Expenses
401(k)
Retirement Savings
Medicare
Fiduciary Duty
Certified Financial Planner
Vehicle Financing
Portfolio Diversification
Retirement Savings Strategies

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 n... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes1857Founded12 years ago
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Artwork for Talking Real Money

Latest Episodes

With geopolitical tension rattling markets and investors stampeding into cash, gold, and energy, Don and Tom step back to deliver a familiar message: nobody knows what’s next—and anyone claiming otherwise is selling something. They walk through the b... more

The housing market is stuck in an unusual freeze, driven by the lingering effects of ultra-low COVID-era mortgage rates, reduced housing inventory, and sharply higher income requirements for buyers. With fewer people moving, less new construction, an... more

Don fields listener questions on asset allocation, advisor timing, and investing complexity with his usual bias toward simplicity and self-awareness. He emphasizes that the decision to add bonds isn’t about age but about emotional tolerance for loss,... more

YouTube

Morningstar’s latest research nudges the “safe” withdrawal rate down to 3.9%, but Don and Tom make it clear there’s no magic number—just tradeoffs. They walk through fixed vs. flexible withdrawal strategies, why spending adaptability matters more tha... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Michael from Portugal
A retiree residing part-time in Portugal, looking for financial advice regarding retirement and family financial support.
Episode: Rules of Thumb
Christine Benz
Director of Financial Planning at Morningstar
Morningstar
Episode: Experts Need Experts
Megan Gorman
Author of 'All the President's Money'
Episode: Pecuniary Presidents
Michael DeJoseph
Researcher in Investment Advisor Research at Vanguard
Vanguard
Episode: Vanguard's Advisor Alpha
David Booth
Founder and Chairman of the Board at Dimensional Fund Advisors
Dimensional Fund Advisors
Episode: Quiet Investing Science
Dave Butler
Co-CEO of Dimensional Fund Advisors
Dimensional Fund Advisors
Episode: Quiet Investing Science
Joe Saul-Sehy
Host of the Stacking Benjamins podcast and a prominent speaker at Retiremeet 2025.
Stacking Benjamins
Episode: Retiremeet '25 - Part One
Roxy Butler
Advisor to Pell Wealth, returning guest known for her engaging insights
Pell Wealth
Episode: Tom + Roxy + Qs
Wes Crill
Senior Investment Director
Dimensional Funds
Episode: Presidential Preference?

Hosts

Don McDonald
Co-host and financial expert known for his engaging delivery and deep financial knowledge, often addressing complex money issues in a relatable way.
Tom Cock
Co-host and former PBS financial programming host who brings humor and clarity to discussions on investing and finance, aiding listeners in navigating their financial queries.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 1k ratings
  • Great advice

    Been listening for about 3 years now. They have really great advice and are willing to help people that call or write in with questions.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Omaha Brad
    United Statesa month ago
  • Here We Go Again!

    I usually enjoy Talking Real Money, but the latest Bitcoin segment replays the same tired arguments. The hosts claim Bitcoin fails as currency because it’s volatile and therefore unusable. That sounds sensible—until you remember money has three jobs: medium of exchange, unit of account, and store of value. They focused on the first and ignored the most important one for savers.

    Fiat currencies work for spending—but they reliably lose purchasing power. Inflation isn’t a bug; it’s policy. Bitcoin... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    TRM-7
    United Statesa month ago
  • Annoying Ads

    I couldn’t bring myself to listen to this podcast after hearing the annoying ads on other podcasts.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Chris_Tyler
    United Statesa month ago
  • The best!

    30 year DIY investor through the Clark Howard School of Basic Investing. Decided to listen after hearing an ad and I’m glad I did. TRM has quickly become my 1 one podcast. I haven’t missed a show in 2-3 years. Sorry Clark! I’ve learned a lot, added more diversity to our investments and I’m feeling more comfortable on the process of generating an income from our investments when the time comes. Keep doing what you do. Love it!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CT Design Guy
    United States2 months ago
  • A couple has-beens leeching money

    I’ve started listening to these guys and while they offer decent information, other times they’re way off. Especially when it’s a topic that threatens their livelihood, even if true. Or on topics they just don’t understand. Looking at them further, they’re former radio hosts that had some success an decided to start an advisory group… one of those bad ones that operates under an AUM framework, essentially leeching 1% off your portfolio for minimal value. While their DIY portfolios on their w... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Phuoc-SD
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the down-to-earth, actionable financial advice provided in an engaging manner.
Overall, the podcast garners respect for its educational value and practical insights into personal finance.
The hosts are often recognized for their humorous banter and ability to simplify complex topics.
Some reviews express concern over particular investment perspectives shared by the hosts, particularly regarding cryptocurrencies and other speculative elements in investing.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#62
United States/Business/Investing
Apple Podcasts
#191
United States/Business
Apple Podcasts
#188
Finland/Business/Investing
Apple Podcasts
#221
Japan/Business/Investing
Apple Podcasts
#222
China/Business/Investing

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Questions Four
Q: With a listener planning to maximize an HSA in retirement while transitioning to a new career, is it worth increasing contributions to fund a pseudo Roth conversion via the 457 or related accounts?
Yes, there can be strategic value in using tax-advantaged accounts like an HSA in conjunction with retirement plans, but the optimal approach depends on the individual's tax situation, future healthcare needs, and whether the additional contributions meaningfully improve flexibility and tax outcomes.
Questions Four
Q: Hi Don and Tom, can you explain your stance on all-in-one funds like VT or AVGE for decumulation and whether it makes sense to split them into multiple funds to manage losses more effectively?
We argue that for decumulation, a fund of funds or a simple, broad approach can outperform attempts to time or pick winners; taking a fixed withdrawal rate and keeping it simple tends to be the most reliable path, and multi-fund splits generally add needless complexity without meaningful returns.
The Wisdom of Crowds
Q: Is there any scenario where it would not be okay to switch from AVGE to AVGV in an IRA?
Switching may be reasonable if you have a higher stability need and want less volatility, but generally AVGE is preferred for younger or less risk-tolerant investors who want steadier performance, while AVGV carries more risk and potential for downturns; a risk quiz is recommended to assess suitability.
More Questions!
Q: What are the differences between short-term TIPs and longer-term TIPs, and should I hold VTIP as a core bond position?
VTIP is a short-term TIP fund used as a hedge against unexpected inflation; the hosts suggest not abandoning a diversified bond core like BND, but consider a small allocation to VTIP for inflation protection while maintaining core exposure to broad bonds.
More Questions!
Q: Should I let inherited IRA funds roll over or cash out gradually to fund a Roth IRA?
The hosts recommend a gradual withdrawal strategy, such as taking about $8,000 per year to fund a Roth IRA, which helps control tax brackets and preserves long-term tax-free growth while meeting the 10-year withdrawal rule.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Talking Real Money

What is Talking Real Money about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A dynamic and informative financial podcast engages listeners by addressing real-world money issues and providing actionable investing advice. Co-hosted by financial radio veteran Don McDonald and former PBS host Tom Cock, the show offers insights into diverse financial topics including investment strategies, retirement planning, and market trends, all while maintaining an entertaining tone. The hosts draw on personal anecdotes and listener call-ins to make complex financial principles accessible, aiming to equip listeners with the knowledge needed to make informed investing decisions and achieve financial security for the future.

With a strong focus on practical advice, the discussions often highlight the dangers of speculative investing ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Talking Real Money?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Talking Real Money:

1. The Clark Howard Podcast
2. Your Money, Your Wealth
3. Stay Wealthy Retirement Podcast
4. Retirement Starts Today
5. Retirement Answer Man

How many episodes of Talking Real Money are there?

Talking Real Money launched 12 years ago and published 1857 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Talking Real Money?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Talking Real Money?

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What guests have appeared on Talking Real Money?

Recent guests on Talking Real Money include:

1. Michael from Portugal
2. Christine Benz
3. Megan Gorman
4. Michael DeJoseph
5. David Booth
6. Dave Butler
7. Joe Saul-Sehy
8. Roxy Butler

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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