There's an Easier Way

Talking Real Money - Investing Talk

In this episode, Don and Tom rewind to the not-so-golden era of Wall Street paperwork, bringing a modern perspective to old-school investing habits. They tackle listener questions around dividend investing, the allure of individual stocks, and whether the 'buy and hold forever' mindset still holds up in the era of ETFs. Along the way, they dismantle outdated advice, give historical context to stock certificate culture, and steer listeners back toward diversified, evidence-based strategies. A little nostalgia, a lot of myth-busting.

0:00 — Opening thoughts on old-school investing
1:30 — Why dividend stocks still captivate investors (and why they shouldn’t)
3:45 — Caller wants to hand-pick dividend stocks for income—Don’s got a better plan
6:12 — The problem with nostalgia-driven portfolios
7:55 — What a pile of stock certificates used to represent—and what it doesn’t anymore
9:40 — Why ETFs offer smarter, cheaper, saner exposure to dividends
12:18 — Tom reflects on the emotional appeal of owning "pieces of companies"
14:02 — Another caller asks: Should I dump my dividend ETF for higher-yield stocks?
15:40 — Compounding, risk, and the illusion of control
17:00 — Why chasing yield can lead to capital destruction
19:15 — Final thoughts: Don’t mistake familiar for safe, or paper for value

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