Ep. 1981: Money Questions, Sorted

Friday’s listener questions cover the kind of decisions that sound simple until the details arrive. Don weighs the ease of Vanguard’s total bond fund against building a Treasury ladder, and explains why convenience can be a perfectly sensible investment feature. Then it’s overseas: how much international stock exposure belongs in a diversified portfolio, and why no single U.S./international split is scientifically “right.” The show also sorts out HSA investing, beneficiaries, and the rule for holding more than one HSA. Finally, Don explains why a large RMD and tax puzzle needs a real written plan, then helps a listener nearing retirement compare a two-fund portfolio with a Vanguard target-date fund. 0:46 Friday Q&A begins 2:24 Listener feedback on the show’s music 4:20 BND versus a Treasury ladder 9:01 U.S. versus international stocks 12:59 How to invest and inherit an HSA 16:24 Preparing a large portfolio for RMDs 20:08 Two funds or a target-date fund near retirement Questions? Comments? Click!