The seventeenth episode of The Simple Dollar podcast deals with stock investing. How do I invest in stocks (for retirement and otherwise) and why? Total time – 6:50.

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Other options for enjoying The Simple Dollar Podcast include:
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Though I hope you do subscribe using one of the above methods, don’t worry – each episode will be featured in its own post, much like this one, on Tuesday afternoons. The podcast itself may appear earlier than that, however, if you subscribe using one of the above forms, but the notes won’t appear until I post about it here on The Simple Dollar.

Episode Notes
Here are some additional notes that go alongside the comments in the podcast. Approximate times for the corresponding links and notes are listed.

0:00 – The theme song is a snippet of a Camper van Beethoven concert on October 25, 1986, shared via their very open taping policy. Listen to the concert in its entirety.
1:12 – I’m not a financial expert.
2:01 – It’s vital to remember that we’re talking about long term goals.
3:21 – A detailed explanation of why index funds rock.
3:52 – I’m not alone in this perspective, either.
4:48 – The Bogleheads’ Guide to Investing is essential reading on these topics.
6:01 – The organization I quickly mis-referred to as the “SIDC” here is actually the SIPC.

One thing I’d like to do in a future episode is have an audio reader’s mailbag. If you have a microphone on your computer and can record an MP3 of a simple, short question you might have on personal finance, careers, pop culture, or anything else you’d like me to answer, record it as an MP3 and send it to me. Keep the total recording under 15 seconds, please. Also, if you use Skype, feel free to ask your question that way – my username is trenttsd.

Comments and suggestions welcome.

The sixteenth episode of The Simple Dollar podcast deals with college advice. What did my own college experience teach me in terms of what’s most useful during your college years? Here’s a hint – too much time in the classroom is a negative. Total time – 9:25.

Listen In!

Other options for enjoying The Simple Dollar Podcast include:
Listen to this episode on a separate page
Subscribe via iTunes
Download this episode (right click and save)
Subscribe in the media player of your choice

Though I hope you do subscribe using one of the above methods, don’t worry – each episode will be featured in its own post, much like this one, on Tuesday afternoons. The podcast itself may appear earlier than that, however, if you subscribe using one of the above forms, but the notes won’t appear until I post about it here on The Simple Dollar.

Episode Notes
Here are some additional notes that go alongside the comments in the podcast. Approximate times for the corresponding links and notes are listed.

0:00 – The theme song is a snippet of a Camper van Beethoven concert on October 25, 1986, shared via their very open taping policy. Listen to the concert in its entirety.
0:35 – Here’s some basic advice for managing cash in college.
1:10 – Is college even really necessary?
2:01 – Here’s how to minimize accumulated stuff in college (which amounts to lost money).
3:41 – Here are ten key things any college student can do to prepare for success in life.
5:02 – My college career wasn’t exactly perfect.
7:11 – A great book on the college experience (from a financial perspective) is Dara Duguay’s Please Send Money.
8:40 – Some advice to college students at the end of their college career.
9:20 – A preview of next week.

One thing I’d like to do in a future episode is have an audio reader’s mailbag. If you have a microphone on your computer and can record an MP3 of a simple, short question you might have on personal finance, careers, pop culture, or anything else you’d like me to answer, record it as an MP3 and send it to me. Keep the total recording under 15 seconds, please. Also, if you use Skype, feel free to ask your question that way – my username is trenttsd.

Comments and suggestions welcome.

The fifteenth episode looks at fixed mentalities and growth mentalities. Which do you have? How can you use that info to get ahead in your career? Total length: 5:30.

Listen In!

Other options for enjoying The Simple Dollar Podcast include:
Listen to this episode on a separate page
Subscribe via iTunes
Download this episode (right click and save)
Subscribe in the media player of your choice

Though I hope you do subscribe using one of the above methods, don’t worry – each episode will be featured in its own post, much like this one, on Tuesday afternoons. The podcast itself may appear earlier than that, however, if you subscribe using one of the above forms, but the notes won’t appear until I post about it here on The Simple Dollar.

Episode Notes
Here are some additional notes that go alongside the comments in the podcast. Approximate times for the corresponding links and notes are listed.

0:00 – The theme song is a snippet of a Camper van Beethoven concert on October 25, 1986, shared via their very open taping policy. Listen to the concert in its entirety.
0:20 – I should definitely mention the excellent book Mindset, which explains the differences well.
1:05 – This topic is covered really well by Michael Graham Richard on his blog.
2:02 – Here’s a great article by Jonathan Fields about cultivating the right mentality in your child.
2:52 – If you’re growth-oriented, Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell can be a powerful read.
3:40 – A fixed mindset would do well to work on these fifteen things you can do right now to help your career.
4:39 – Transferable skills are incredibly useful, particularly to growth mindset folks, but even fixed mindset folks might find them useful for solidifying their position.
5:20 – A preview of next week.

One thing I’d like to do in a future episode is have an audio reader’s mailbag. If you have a microphone on your computer and can record an MP3 of a simple, short question you might have on personal finance, careers, pop culture, or anything else you’d like me to answer, record it as an MP3 and send it to me. Keep the total recording under 15 seconds, please. Also, if you use Skype, feel free to ask your question that way – my username is trenttsd.

Comments and suggestions welcome.

The fourteenth episode looks at the personal finance media. Who can you trust? Total length: 7:25.

Listen In!

Other options for enjoying The Simple Dollar Podcast include:
Listen to this episode on a separate page
Subscribe via iTunes
Download this episode (right click and save)
Subscribe in the media player of your choice

Though I hope you do subscribe using one of the above methods, don’t worry – each episode will be featured in its own post, much like this one, on Tuesday afternoons. The podcast itself may appear earlier than that, however, if you subscribe using one of the above forms, but the notes won’t appear until I post about it here on The Simple Dollar.

Episode Notes
Here are some additional notes that go alongside the comments in the podcast. Approximate times for the corresponding links and notes are listed.

0:00 – The theme song is a snippet of a Camper van Beethoven concert on October 25, 1986, shared via their very open taping policy. Listen to the concert in its entirety.
0:45 – The news story I refer to ran on local news in Des Moines and is apparently no longer in their online video archives, unfortunately.
1:45 – I trust Dave Ramsey, for example, when he sticks to finances, particularly debt elimination. He knows what he’s talking about, you can run the numbers yourself, and lots of people have found success using his methods.
2:40 – On the other hand, I don’t trust Robert Kiyosaki at all. Yes, his works are inspirational for entrepreneurial types, but I have a hard time trusting anyone who refers to a person who chooses to work a traditional job as a “hamster” as he does in Rich Dad, Poor Dad.
3:42 – Financial bloggers I trust include J.D. Roth and Jim Wang. Bloggers I don’t trust include Casey Serin, whose blog is now defunct (for good reason).
4:40 – The format matters, too. I tend to trust Jim Cramer in book form (because he gives very sensible long-form advice), but in short doses, I don’t trust him at all because he tends to go off the cuff with advice not based in fact.
5:55 – I’m not wholly condemning things like the Wall Street Journal and Money Magazine, just saying that my trust tends to focus more on the individual writers, not that it appears in those publications. I trust Sam Walker, not the WSJ. I trust Jason Zweig, not Money Magazine. That’s the right place to put it, I think.
7:20 – A preview of next week’s topic.

One thing I’d like to do in a future episode is have an audio reader’s mailbag. If you have a microphone on your computer and can record an MP3 of a simple, short question you might have on personal finance, careers, pop culture, or anything else you’d like me to answer, record it as an MP3 and send it to me. Keep the total recording under 15 seconds, please. Also, if you use Skype, feel free to ask your question that way – my username is trenttsd.

Comments and suggestions welcome.

The thirteenth episode looks at the concepts of good debt, bad debt, and no debt. Total length: 7:25.

Listen In!

Other options for enjoying The Simple Dollar Podcast include:
Listen to this episode on a separate page
Subscribe via iTunes
Download this episode (right click and save)
Subscribe in the media player of your choice

Though I hope you do subscribe using one of the above methods, don’t worry – each episode will be featured in its own post, much like this one, on Tuesday afternoons. The podcast itself may appear earlier than that, however, if you subscribe using one of the above forms, but the notes won’t appear until I post about it here on The Simple Dollar.

Episode Notes
Here are some additional notes that go alongside the comments in the podcast. Approximate times for the corresponding links and notes are listed.

0:00 – The theme song is a snippet of a Camper van Beethoven concert on October 25, 1986, shared via their very open taping policy. Listen to the concert in its entirety.
0:45 – There’s actually a solid book by Jon Hansen on this topic.
1:11 – Is an auto loan good or bad debt?
2:22 – Here are some details about John’s land purchase.
3:01 – A few further thoughts on good debt and bad debt.
4:21 – The “no debt” philosophy is pretty well espoused by Michael Mihalik.
5:42 – Is a student loan a bad debt? I think it can be.
7:20 – A preview of next week’s topic.

One thing I’d like to do in a future episode is have an audio reader’s mailbag. If you have a microphone on your computer and can record an MP3 of a simple, short question you might have on personal finance, careers, pop culture, or anything else you’d like me to answer, record it as an MP3 and send it to me. Keep the total recording under 15 seconds, please. Also, if you use Skype, feel free to ask your question that way – my username is trenttsd.

Comments and suggestions welcome.

The twelfth episode focuses on budgeting. I found that traditional budgets didn’t work for me, so I explore the methods that did. Total length: 7:20

Listen In!

Other options for enjoying The Simple Dollar Podcast include:
Listen to this episode on a separate page
Subscribe via iTunes
Download this episode (right click and save)
Subscribe in the media player of your choice

Though I hope you do subscribe using one of the above methods, don’t worry – each episode will be featured in its own post, much like this one, on Tuesday afternoons. The podcast itself may appear earlier than that, however, if you subscribe using one of the above forms, but the notes won’t appear until I post about it here on The Simple Dollar.

Episode Notes
Here are some additional notes that go alongside the comments in the podcast. Approximate times for the corresponding links and notes are listed.

0:00 – The theme song is a snippet of a Camper van Beethoven concert on October 25, 1986, shared via their very open taping policy. Listen to the concert in its entirety.
0:31 – Some thoughts on why a “one-budget-fits-all” approach doesn’t really work.
0:42 – Here’s the early budgeting technique that worked well for me. It helped to get me on the right path.
1:21 – Here’s the full story on that coffee shop experience.
2:01 – I like the analogy of training wheels on a bike. At first, they teach you how to ride, but later, they’re a hindrance.
4:51 – Here are some thoughts on transitioning from budgeting to the net worth mentality.
5:50 – Some thoughts on budgeting with online bill pay.
6:59 – Here’s a preview of next week’s podcast, about personal finance media.

One thing I’d like to do in a future episode is have an audio reader’s mailbag. If you have a microphone on your computer and can record an MP3 of a simple, short question you might have on personal finance, careers, pop culture, or anything else you’d like me to answer, record it as an MP3 and send it to me. Keep the total recording under 15 seconds, please. Also, if you use Skype, feel free to ask your question that way – my username is trenttsd.

Comments and suggestions welcome.

The eleventh episode focuses on networking and building professional (and personal) relationships. How can you do this effectively? Total length: 8:30

Listen In!

Other options for enjoying The Simple Dollar Podcast include:
Listen to this episode on a separate page
Subscribe via iTunes
Download this episode (right click and save)
Subscribe in the media player of your choice

Though I hope you do subscribe using one of the above methods, don’t worry – each episode will be featured in its own post, much like this one, on Tuesday afternoons. The podcast itself may appear earlier than that, however, if you subscribe using one of the above forms, but the notes won’t appear until I post about it here on The Simple Dollar.

Episode Notes
Here are some additional notes that go alongside the comments in the podcast. Approximate times for the corresponding links and notes are listed.

0:00 – The theme song is a snippet of a Camper van Beethoven concert on October 25, 1986, shared via their very open taping policy. Listen to the concert in its entirety.
0:24 – If you want a great book on this topic, you should read Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi and Tahl Raz.
0:32 – Here’s my Twitter feed, if you’re so interested.
0:36 – Here’s the website for #amestweetup. There’s probably a similar gathering in your own area.
0:55 – Yes, I use Twitter for networking and communicating with people. Here are ten fundamental steps for online career networking.
1:12 – Yes, going out for beers (or any other social activity) with friends is a form of networking because you’re building relationships with those people.
2:52 – Some thoughts on the value of networking and friendship.
4:43 – Networking has no value without follow-up.
6:22 – If communicating with people face to face is hard for you, here are nine social skills to practice if you’re not socially skilled.
8:15 – Here’s a preview of next week’s topic, budgeting.

One thing I’d like to do in a future episode is have an audio reader’s mailbag. If you have a microphone on your computer and can record an MP3 of a simple, short question you might have on personal finance, careers, pop culture, or anything else you’d like me to answer, record it as an MP3 and send it to me. Keep the total recording under 15 seconds, please. Also, if you use Skype, feel free to ask your question that way – my username is trenttsd.

Comments and suggestions welcome.

The tenth episode focuses on the challenges of managing money in a relationship. What makes it work? Total length: 11:45

Listen In!

Other options for enjoying The Simple Dollar Podcast include:
Listen to this episode on a separate page
Subscribe via iTunes
Download this episode (right click and save)
Subscribe in the media player of your choice

Though I hope you do subscribe using one of the above methods, don’t worry – each episode will be featured in its own post, much like this one, on Tuesday afternoons. The podcast itself may appear earlier than that, however, if you subscribe using one of the above forms, but the notes won’t appear until I post about it here on The Simple Dollar.

Episode Notes
Here are some additional notes that go alongside the comments in the podcast. Approximate times for the corresponding links and notes are listed.

0:00 – The theme song is a snippet of a Camper van Beethoven concert on October 25, 1986, shared via their very open taping policy. Listen to the concert in its entirety.
0:24 – A peek at the early years of our marriage.
1:11 – Smart Couples Finish Rich is a very good book for couples to read.
3:32 – Should a couple combine their finances? I was as unsure then as I am now.
6:01 – Some thoughts on setting goals together in a marriage.
9:42 – Here are some good general tips for a successful marriage.
11:30 – A preview of next week.

One thing I’d like to do in a future episode is have an audio reader’s mailbag. If you have a microphone on your computer and can record an MP3 of a simple, short question you might have on personal finance, careers, pop culture, or anything else you’d like me to answer, record it as an MP3 and send it to me. Keep the total recording under 15 seconds, please. Also, if you use Skype, feel free to ask your question that way – my username is trenttsd.

Comments and suggestions welcome.