Behavior Beats Brilliance

Talking Real Money - Investing Talk

In this episode, Don and Tom dive into a revealing YouGov survey that shows Americans might not be as overconfident as we thought—except when it comes to trustworthiness, loyalty, and… mechanical skills? The guys unpack what this means for investors, especially the surprising gaps between men and women in self-perception. Then they outline the traits that actually do make for above-average money managers—like patience, discipline, and optimism—before answering a pair of strong listener questions about asset allocation in retirement and Social Security survivor benefits.

0:04 Kicking off with confessions: Americans may not be as overconfident as we thought

0:35 Only 26% think they’re sexually above average? Really?

1:34 The weird areas where Americans do think they excel: loyalty, ethics, critical thinking

2:40 Self-deception vs. actual financial behavior

3:04 The gender confidence gap and investing implications

4:40 How much of success is really just luck?

5:47 Personal luck stories and the randomness of life

7:13 Men think they’re funnier and more intelligent—survey says…

7:54 Back to money: Only 42% think they’re above-average money managers

8:47 Traits that actually matter in investing: patience, risk management, discipline

10:59 Goal setting, diligence, and why optimism pays

12:23 Confidence is lower than expected—and women may be better investors

13:44 Who really dances at weddings?

14:04 Q&A: Cindy’s $250k hobby account and what to do with it

17:57 Rebuilding a diversified portfolio around AVGE and BND

20:21 Q&A: Survivor benefits and claiming strategies for couples

22:41 What a surviving spouse actually receives from Social Security

24:50 Live from the lake? Maybe. Tech permitting.

25:46 Free advice and fart coin fallout

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