Investments Can Grow

Tom and Don break down why gold, silver, and individual stocks remain speculative distractions rather than reliable investments, using recent volatility in precious metals and Microsoft as cautionary examples. They explain how globally diversified portfolios helped investors stay steady while fear-driven assets whipsawed. The show tackles retirement allocation risks, high-cost target date funds, and how much risk retirees may actually need to take. Listener questions cover 401(a) rollovers, withdrawal strategies, rebalancing after a decade, tax treatment of tips, collective investment trusts, teacher retirement plans, and high-yield savings accounts—reinforcing the case for low costs, broad diversification, and disciplined investing.

0:04 Why gold and silver are speculation, not investments

1:19 Precious metals crash and volatility reality check

3:11 Microsoft drop and risks of single-stock investing

4:40 Fear, home bias, and global diversification

7:12 Birthday story and listener banter

8:31 Elaine’s 401(a) and risky target-date fund allocation

11:24 High expense ratios vs. low-cost index options

12:47 Retirement income needs and withdrawal risk

14:04 Monte Carlo results for 60/40 portfolios

15:56 Tips income, taxes, and rebalancing questions

18:03 Standard deduction and real tax impact

23:39 Capital Group CIT vs. Vanguard index funds

25:21 Downsides of collective investment trusts

28:08 403(b)WISE and school district plan ratings

29:55 Teacher retirement plan advocacy

32:32 High-yield savings account recommendations

34:18 Rebalancing after 10 years

35:17 Asset location and tax efficiency