Q'in' and A'in'

It’s a full-on Q&A Friday as Don tackles listener questions on account consolidation, fund choices, proper bond allocation, and portfolio construction. From dissecting the merits of AVGE vs. DFAW vs. VT+AVUV, to helping federal employees estimate how much to save, and even clearing up confusion about average returns—this episode is a masterclass in real-world investing for every phase of life. Whether you’re building your portfolio, nearing retirement, or just trying to clean up a financial mishmash, there’s clarity here. Oh, and snark-free math explanations, too.

• 1:36 First caller: Accumulation phase advice—Fidelity vs. AVGE vs. Vanguard

• 3:15 Follow-up: Retirement accounts, target date funds, and cleaning up a messy portfolio

• 5:06 Safe Harbor 401k rules explained

• 5:53 Deep dive into 401k fund options—why some funds may not be ideal

• 7:43 Old TSP account—combine or leave it?

• 9:34 Caller: How to start adding bonds after years of 100% stocks

• 10:43 Two strategies for shifting into bonds slowly and smartly

• 11:42 Listener from Texas asks: How is average return actually calculated?

• 12:44 Why averages are simple math, not magic

• 14:13 Caller: TSP investor wants to grow $114k to $500k in 10 years—what it’ll take

• 15:55 Fidelity Roth IRA options: AVGE vs. DFAW vs. VT + AVUV tilt

• 17:40 Pros and cons of each fund setup—risk, fees, and portfolio simplicity