Picking a Good One
With Tom on vacation and an eerily convincing AI stand-in holding down the mic, Don kicks off 2026 by tackling one of the most persistent listener questions: how to actually find a true fiduciary—and how to eliminate salespeople fast. Using FINRA’s BrokerCheck as a simple filter, the show explains why the “B” matters, why dual-registered advisors are still a risk, and how complexity is often a red flag. From there, the conversation dives into the rise of RILAs (registered index-linked annuities), why their shiny back-tested returns don’t mean much, and how simpler balanced portfolios often do better with far less risk and confusion. Along the way, the hosts cover podcast reviews, investing in bourbon barrels (don’t), Roth IRAs for teenagers (do), and close with Tom’s five timeless investing rules for 2026: go global, simplify, define risk, rebalance, and understand your taxes.
0:04 New year, Tom on vacation, and the rise of AI Tom
0:22 AI voices, joke quality, and job security jokes
2:20 Welcome and the show’s core mission
2:46 How to actually find a real fiduciary
3:30 BrokerCheck explained and why the “B” is a deal-breaker
5:24 Firm searches and fast advisor elimination
6:38 Why dual registration still isn’t fiduciary
7:22 RILAs introduced and why “index-linked” is a warning sign
9:38 Hypothetical returns and misleading back-testing
11:19 Balanced index funds vs annuity complexity
13:00 Why RILAs solve no real investor problem
14:08 How to leave podcast reviews (and where)
15:22 Apple vs Spotify reviews and ratings reality
17:34 Ratings, trolls, and thin-skinned hosts
20:07 Tom’s five investing rules for 2026
20:41 Go global—actually global
21:56 Fewer accounts, less mess
22:49 Know your risk before the market teaches you
23:50 Rebalancing after strong stock years
24:38 Understanding taxes by account type
27:33 Bourbon barrel investing pitch—hard pass
29:13 Custody risk and private-investment danger
31:35 No sales guests, ever
33:54 Roth IRAs for working teens
34:35 RetireMeet 2026 announcement