Motley Fool Answers

If you ask the Internet, Millennials are the worst generation ever. But is that really true? We’re going to dig into the research to find out if Millennials are just as entitled, lazy, and lousy with money as the prevailing opinion believes they are. We’re also going to answer a couple questions about required minimum distributions (fun!) and then have our very own battle of the generations between a Boomer, Gen X-er and Millennial.

While everyone else is telling you what you should read this summer, we're giving you a list of what to avoid. Morgan Housel joins us to share his anti-reading list (okay...and a book recommendation too). We also ask fellow Fools what they are doing this summer instead of lounging by the pool with a good book and answer your question about how to smooth out market volatility in your portfolio.

We enlist the help of NerdWallet Investing Writer (and Answers Alum) Dayana Yochim to answer your pressing credit-related questions including which type of debt to pay down first, how to overcome a slip-up, and why you should get at least one credit card even if it's at Old Navy (just make sure you pay it off every month).

Financial therapy is a growing trend in financial planning that helps reveal your deeply-held beliefs about money--particularly the beliefs that are holding you back from reaching your goals. We'll also answer your question with four questions that will determine whether or not to take an ownership stake in the company where you work. Also, Alison apologizes to the great state of New Hampshire.  

We'll not-literally travel these great United States to discover the best place to live—from a Foolish perspective. We'll also answer your question about how to evaluate your investing prowess and ask the world what it really thinks of Americans. It's mostly good!

Retirement just ain't what it used to be. Stock market returns, fewer employer benefits, and even changes in life expectancy mean your retirement will be very different from your parents'. We will break down the challenges and opportunities and explain how to navigate them. We'll also answer your question about fundamental index funds and explore the storied success of animal stock-pickers.

We give you a sneak peak at FoolFest, a two day celebration of investing and Foolishness. We'll share speech highlights from Motley Fool Co-founder and CEO Tom Gardner, NY Times Bestselling Author Dan Pink, and Shareholder Advocate Nell Minow. We'll also answer your question about investing in gold.

With the help of Foolish Investor, Ron Gross, we'll answer your most pressing investing-related questions. What metrics matter when researching companies to invest in? What happens when a company repurchases shares? Why buy anything other than dividend-paying stocks? And more! Bonus: Ron defines discounted cash flow better than Bill Barker.

The hottest trend in personal finance is the rise of so-called "robo advisors" like Betterment and Wealthfront who promise to manage your money for a low fee. Robo advisors can be a great option for many people, maybe even you. We’ll look at the industry, discuss the pros and cons, and talk about performance. Also, we’ll outline some ways to put your skills as an investor to work finding a great place to work.

We sit down with two accomplished travel hackers to learn how they maximize credit card points to get free travel around the world. International First Class? Yes, please! We’ll also answer a listener question about being the most tax efficient with your retirement accounts, and then test your tipping smarts.

An investing journal is a great way to hold yourself accountable, understand your temperament, and squash your bad habits. You will not regret starting one. We promise. In this episode we'll talk about the why and how of keeping an investing journal, answer a listener question about borrowing from a rollover IRA, and try to convince you to give us gold Krugerrands and Shirley Temples.

Whether you're saving up for an emergency fund, a mortgage down payment or college tuition, you might be sitting on a big pile of money and not sure where to put it. And with interest rates as low as they are—it's painful to see it just sit there earning nothing. We'll talk about a few options for where to stash your cash to get the most out of it—safely. We’ll also answer a listener's followup question about bonds and delve into some listener feedback. Thanks to Audible for supporting this episode. Get a free 30 day trial at audible.com/fool.

When women take the reins of their personal finances, it’s abeautiful, lucrative thing. We interview Jean Chatzky, bestsellingauthor and financial editor for NBC's Today Show, about women andmoney. Jean will also answer a few of your questions and we’ll hearsome solid mom-life advice from a few Fools.

With the Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders meeting this weekend, we're going to play a few rounds of "What Would Warren Buffett Do" with the help of a couple Motley Fool Analysts. We'll also answer your question about the right number of stocks to own. And before we’re done, we'll learn a few money lessons from the other Buffett...Jimmy Buffett.

In this episode, we’ll talk about the benefits and basics of bonds. Even better, we enlist the help of the original man-behind-the-glass, Steve Broido, to hear how bonds fit into his portfolio.

Your Future Self will say “Thanks, Past Self!” after you follow advice from Megan Brinsfield (aka Taxy Pants) to ease the pain of doing your taxes next time around. We’ll also talk about the super duper ultra back door Roth IRA and play a rousing game of Flummox the Fools.

Morgan Housel joins us to talk about 3 common (and peculiar) traits that wealthy people tend to share. We’ll also answer your question about the benefits of keeping real estate in a self-directed IRA and explore the urban legend of eschewing a retirement home for a cruise ship.

Every time you take an action with your money—whether it’s buying stuff or investing in stocks—you’re making a statement about your values and getting an emotional kickback. And you thought you were just buying a car to get you places. Not so! We’ll help you psychoanalyze the actions you take with your money and if you’re letting your emotions undermine your underlying goals. We’ll also answer a listener question on how to figure out when it’s worth it to go back to school.

Spring is here and what could be more fun than playing hooky from work and spending the day cleaning up your finances? We’re being serious here. We’ll discuss the benefits of having a Financial Health Day and give you our best tips for making it count. We’ll also answer your question about finding the right savings rate before we head to Myrtle Beach (in our minds) and celebrate spring break. SPRING BREAK!

Catching Leprechauns is hard. Luckily, you can still find that pot o’ gold at the end of the rainbow by being strategic about setting and achieving your financial goals. We’ll also answer a wee lad’s question about getting started investing and share some money lessons best served with a pint of Guinness.