Don Sowa's MoneyTalk
Black Friday 1869
Each year on Black Friday American shoppers spend billions of dollars on goods, but what you may not know is that the original black Friday was anything but a boon for the economy. On this edition of our MoneyTalk Moment in Financial History, Nathan and Daniel cover the events of Black Friday 1869,…
42:27
You Asked For It
Donna shares answers to questions from wealth management clients, including: How do I go about selling my precious metal items without getting swindled? How do I live my best retirement without overspending? What kind of an emergency fund should I keep?— and more. Also on MoneyTalk, a refresher on …
41:10
Chasing Yield
Yield is an expression of hour much income you earn on your money, but the way it is measured differs depending on the type of security. Nathan discusses how to measure yield across different asset classes, and why it is so important to understand. Also on MoneyTalk, advice from industry’s top inve…
41:53
Evolution of the Pension Plan
The employee pension plan, widely considered a relic from long past, is actually making a comeback, but this new type of pension bares little resemblance to the plan your grandfather depended on. Donna and Nathan discuss cash balance plans, how they function, and how they differ from traditional pe…
41:52
College or Trade?
In a world where college grads struggle to find work, while skilled tradesmen are being flooded with job opportunities, it’s becoming harder than ever to justify the cost of that four year degree. Donna and Nathan dig into the employment numbers to discuss the economics behind this shift, and what …
42:01
RMDs & Roth Conversions
You might be thinking that a Roth conversion could be a smart way to avoid paying some of the taxes on your RMD, but unfortunately for you, the government thought of that first. Nathan discusses required minimum distribution rules, common misconceptions about loopholes, and some proactive planning …
42:18
Strategic Use of Debt
Debt is one of our least favorite four letter words, but the truth is that not all debt is created equal, and in some cases it can be used as part of a broader strategy for investing in your future. Donna and Nathan discuss good vs bad debt, and how it can be used as a tool if you have the discipli…
41:59
Stopping 401k Leakage
We live in an increasingly frictionless world, with automatic bill payments and 401(k) contributions, but too few people apply this strategy to their emergency savings, and the result has been an increased rate of early retirement distributions for unforeseen expenses. Donna discusses the prevailin…
41:49
It’s Different Every Time
Mark Twain once said, “History seldom repeats itself, but it often rhymes”, and this can be a powerful lesson when applied to the markets. Nathan discusses the dangers of putting too much stock in historical performance, and to remember that every moment is unique. Also, on our MoneyTalk Moment in …
41:56
The Cost/Benefit of Active Management
Funds that are actively managed often carry higher internal expenses, which can be justified when they deliver alpha, but that is not always the case. Donna and Nathan discuss the types of funds that can make sense to pay a premium for, and those that don’t. Also on MoneyTalk, choosing the executor…
41:58