5-12-26 Five Questions for Smarter Money Decisions

Should you pay off debt, invest more in your 401(k), or do both? Lance Roberts & Jon Penn walk through five real-world financial decisions that millions of Americans face every year. Using new Vanguard research and simple math, we break down how to prioritize credit cards, mortgages, student loans, retirement savings, and employer matches to maximize long-term wealth. We also discuss why the mathematically correct answer is not always the emotionally correct one, and how personal priorities, risk tolerance, and peace of mind factor into financial planning. Key topics include: 0:00 - INTRO 1:12 - Six Weeks of Market Advances - What Happens in Week-7?4:36 - Economic Data Review 5:30 - Narrow market Rally Poses Portfolio Risk 10:35 - Birthday Table & Coming Attractions 12:00 - Five Questions to Help You Make Better Financial Decisions 13:45 - Everybody Starts from Scratch 18:20 - Invest or Pay off Debt? 20:54 - Not Everybody Contributes to 401k Plan 25:50 - The Number One Asset is Time 30:21 - Taking a Loan Against Your 401k? (NO!) 32:51 - Margo Has Money Troubles & Other Streaming Treats 35:12 - Inherited Money: Pay Off Mortgage? (NO!) 43:04 - Healthy Debt vs Unhealthy Debt Hosted by RIA Advisors Chief Investment Strategist, Lance Roberts, CIO, w Senior Investment Advisor, Jonathan Penn, CFP Produced by Brent Clanton, Executive Producer ------- Articles Mentioned in Today's Show: "Commodity Supercycle: The Enemy Of The Bull Thesis (Part 1)" "Earnings Estimate Revisions Are Very Optimistic" "Parabolic Semiconductor Rally Is Pricing In 2028 Already" ------- Do you enjoy our content? Rate us on Google: ------- Watch Today's Full Video on our YouTube Channel: ------- Watch today's "Before the Bell" feature, "Tech Rally Risk Is Rising" here: ------- Watch our previous show, "Annuities: Smart Move or Costly Mistake?" ------- * REGISTER for our next Candid Coffee, Saturday, May 16: "Financial Organization Made Simple:" -------- Download Lance's Latest e-book, "Laws of Money & Wealth:" --------

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5-12-26 Five Questions for Smarter Money Decisions is an episode from Lance Roberts' Real Investment Hour by The Real Investment Show/Full Show.

This episode is 00:47:40 long.

This episode was published on May 12, 2026.

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