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Talking Real Money - Investing TalkAuthor: Don McDonald
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). Language: en Genres: Business, Education, How To, Investing Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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The $315K Fork
Wednesday, 12 August, 2026
Fresh from passing the CFP exam, Roxy Butner joins Tom to work through a classic retirement fork: take the richer lifetime teacher pension, or accept a $315,000 lump sum and invest it. The math matters, but so do longevity, survivor benefits, liquidity, investing temperament, and the temptation to spend the pile.Next comes a clever tax-payment question: can IRA withholding replace quarterly estimated payments during Roth-conversion years? They explain why paying conversion taxes from taxable money usually preserves more long-term value.The show closes with a 5.25% mortgage-versus-investing decision and a portfolio x-ray that finds a dividend-heavy international fund missing small companies, value stocks, and emerging markets.00:58 Roxy passes the CFP exam02:46 Teacher pension or $315,000 lump sum?08:36 Rolling a pension lump sum to an IRA09:33 IRA withholding versus estimated taxes13:48 Pay off a 5.25% mortgage or invest?17:34 Fixing an under-diversified retirement portfolio21:50 Living—and spending—with a sound planQuestions? Comments? Click!












