Don and Tom take on the latest crypto hype cycle, arguing that Bitcoin remains speculation—not a reliable store of wealth—and that putting crypto inside retirement accounts is especially dangerous. They discuss a new self-directed IRA crypto platform, the risks of private equity and alternative assets in retirement plans, and why “get rich quickly” pitches should set off alarm bells.

Then they answer two listener questions. First, Mark from Ohio asks how to prepare a retirement portfolio for a likely market downturn and how withdrawals and rebalancing should work once retirement begins. Later, Doug from Utah asks whether market-linked CDs make sense compared with Treasuries and whether the “no downside” promise is worth the tradeoffs. Don and Tom explain why they dislike market-linked CDs, how bank brokers get paid to sell them, and why simpler fixed-income tools often make more sense.

They wrap up with a warning about growing bank-related scam tactics and a publishing scam Don has been seeing aimed at authors.

0:05 – Intro: one-star Bitcoin review and why crypto losses are hard to ignore
1:16 – Bitcoin’s drop, crypto volatility, and retirement-account crypto pitches
2:42 – Self-directed IRAs, IRA Financial, and the “get rich quick” problem
5:27 – Why crypto, private equity, and alternative assets can be dangerous in retirement plans
6:58 – Why most people bought Bitcoin: speculation, not currency utility
10:29 – Hot money shifts: crypto, gold, semiconductors, and chasing momentum
12:20 – Don’s bottom line on crypto as speculation vs. wealth storage
13:16 – Listener question from Mark: preparing for a market downturn before retirement
15:32 – Is an 80/20-ish portfolio too aggressive with retirement four years away?
17:13 – Bonds vs. cash/CDs: what fixed income should do near retirement
18:56 – Withdrawal strategy during a downturn and how rebalancing fits in
20:46 – Listener question from Doug: market-linked CDs vs. Treasuries
23:47 – Why Don and Tom dislike market-linked CDs
26:42 – The danger of taking investment advice from a bank salesperson
29:18 – Building Treasury and CD ladders through a brokerage instead
31:23 – Banks training tellers to spot scam victims before money is lost
34:04 – Don’s author scam warning: fake book clubs and fake promotional offers

Questions? Comments? Click!