This episode shifts from investing to protection, starting with increasingly sophisticated scams—from fake Microsoft emails to deceptive hotel booking sites highlighted by The New York Times that can triple the cost of a stay while appearing legitimate. Don and Tom walk through how these schemes work, why they’re often legal but unethical, and how to avoid them with simple habits like ignoring unsolicited messages, using unique passwords, and booking travel directly. A listener question then pivots to retirement returns, where they explain that a steady ~6% return can be perfectly fine depending on diversification, withdrawals, and peace of mind. The episode wraps with a practical discussion on umbrella insurance—when it’s worth the cost, how risk actually plays out, and why protecting assets sometimes matters more than optimizing every dollar.
