Americans’ 401(k) balances are hitting records—but nearly one in five workers has an outstanding plan loan. Don and Tom explain why a properly sized emergency fund should protect retirement savings from life’s inevitable surprises. They also show why TLT and other long-term Treasury funds are not cash substitutes: when rates move, long-duration bonds can swing like stocks. A diversified bond allocation, regular rebalancing, and clear buckets matter more than chasing today’s yield. Then they...