The ninth episode focuses on the realities and challenges of freelancing, a topic requested by podcast listeners and Simple Dollar readers. Total length: 15:20

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Other options for enjoying The Simple Dollar Podcast include:
Listen to this episode on a separate page
Subscribe via iTunes
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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.
0:25 – Several of the requests came after my appearance on the July 6 episode of The Personal Finance Hour, where these topics were touched on but not delved into.
1:13 – My primary libraries for such use are Ames Public Library and Parks Library, both in Ames, Iowa.
5:17 – 365 Ways to Live Cheap is basically a small compendium of frugality tips sold at a very low price.
7:45 – Thus, my true hourly wage is higher even though I’m not working more and I’m earning a bit less.
11:22 – Deliberate practice is a big key to getting better at anything.
14:45 – A little 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 eighth episode focuses on the ten personal finance and personal development books that made a difference during my personal, financial, and professional turnaround. Hopefully, some of these can help you in your own life. Total length: 20:24.

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.
0:30 – This pretty efficiently summarizes what, why, and how I read.
1:37 – Here’s my extremely detailed review of book #1.
2:31 – Some tips on finding your core values.
2:50 – Here’s my review of book #2.
3:31 – Some notes on this kind of intensity.
4:08 – Here’s my review of book #3.
4:31 – Seven big additional tactics along these same lines.
6:11 – Here’s my review of book #4.
8:38 – Here’s my review of book #5.
10:11 – Here’s my review of book #6.
12:08 – Here’s my review of book #7.
12:11 – I absolutely loved the opportunity I had to sit down and talk with Amy.
12:50 – One example – I found the flexible casserole recipe surprisingly useful.
13:39 – Here’s my review of book #8.
14:46 – Here’s my review of book #9.
17:15 – Here’s my review of book #10.
17:55 – Deliberate practice is key.
19:40 – Here’s that radio show, if you didn’t hear it.

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 seventh episode focuses on lying to others – and to yourself – about money. I relate several personal stories about lying from my own life, the consequences of those lies, and techniques one can use to overcome them.. Total time: 14:20.

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.
0:12 – Some thoughts on how to deal with a partner that lies about money problems.
0:54 – Hi “Darren” and “Billie”! I think they actually read The Simple Dollar on occasion and they’re quite okay with me sharing aspects of their personal story.
1:24 – Some of the things that “Billie” did for money are on this list of side businesses you can start.
1:52 – “Darren” and “Billie” wound up using this technique to dig out of their hole.
2:07 – On the other hand, I would be utterly shocked if “Sharon” read this site. If she does, I’d be willing to bet she’s a comment troll.
4:22 – This was one of the earliest things I wrote about on The Simple Dollar.
4:40 – The impact of lying on your career is sort of like the inverse of what Keith Ferrazzi talks about in his excellent book Never Eat Alone.
5:12 – This is one of the twelve bad habits that hold good people back.
5:38 – Here are some notes on lying to yourself about money.
8:11 – Tracking your spending is also the way to get a grip on budgeting.
9:11 – I’m not talking about eliminating all fun in your life here. I’m talking about when a treat stops being a treat and instead becomes an expense.
11:28 – Visual reminders of goals are really powerful.
12:08 – Here are some tips for defining and accomplishing microgoals.
13:22 – I opened our financial matters to our wife in much the same way as I describe here.
14:03 – Next week: the ten personal finance and personal development books that have shaped my life from my financial, personal, and career bottoms until now.

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 sixth episode focuses on gaming, a surprisingly fun way to save money. Along the way, I highlight tons of my favorite games to play with others that maximize bang for the buck. Total time: 10:50.

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.
0:44 – We played Dominion multiple times, Ticket to Ride: Europe, and Torres (I think … I might be mixing it with the previous game night we had).
1:05 – Her family plays the card game 500, which is quite fun.
2:10 – Good card games with kids: slapjack, go fish, and war.
2:18 – Good card games with adults: bridge, gin, canasta, poker, spades, hearts, cribbage, pitch, euchre … a nearly infinite list.
2:44 – My family always plays four point pitch.
2:55 – Monopoly seems to never end – I played a game for more than twelve hours once. Even worse, many people seem to play it without the auction rule – when someone lands on a property and chooses not to buy it, it goes up for auction. Without that, the game really does never seem to end.
3:27 – Ticket to Ride is a great board game that revolves around connecting various cities to one another via train. You essentially play on a map of a continent, with major cities highlighted, and throughout the game you connect these cities. You only have a limited number of connections, though, and other players are trying to do the same thing (and thus sometimes block your connections). It’s incredibly fun.
3:39 – Puerto Rico is a board game in which you’re trying to build a successful Puerto Rican farm while competing against the other players for resources – workers, money, and space on ships to sell what your farm grows. It can be played in an hour and fits three or four people really well.
3:45 – Settlers of Catan is a board game where you’re simply trying to settle on an island by placing just a small handful of towns and roads. It’s really simple and incredibly fun – as I say on the podcast, we played our first copy until it looks…. grizzled is a good word for it.
4:20 – You want a great way to network with someone? Play a game with them. You’ll almost magically open up a bit during the game.
6:25 – I use Gamerz in Ames, Iowa for most of my video game trading.
6:55 – Yes, I know I “overlooked” the social aspect of XBox Live and many online RPGs, but unless you’re (a) willing to give a lot of time to it or (b) have a strong affinity for teenagers being “funny” by yelling racial epithets, I’d suggest skipping it.
8:35 – I turn walks outdoors into a scavenger hunt.
8:50 – Here are ten ways I save money golfing.
10:40 – 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 fifth episode focuses on talking to parents about money and their estate planning as they get older. Along the way, I mention my own challenges in figuring out how to handle this as my parents age. Total time: 16:25.

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.
0:22 – Some useful reading on this topic.
1:41 – The frugality lessons my parents taught me.
2:38 – Here are some of the ways they managed to juggle all of these things.
3:27 – The book It Pays to Talk by Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz and Charles Schwab was really helpful – here are my detailed notes on the book.
4:31 – Honesty is absolutely vital when talking about these issues.
6:02 – When I’m trying to calm myself down, I often sing to myself. I usually choose a very calm song – usually, it’s Crash by Dave Matthews Band.
8:58 – It might be worthwhile to get your parents a copy of Start Late Finish Rich by David Bach – here are my notes on the book.
11:30 – Estate planning 101
12:07 – A master information document is unbelievably useful in such situations.
15:22 – A semi-preview of next week’s podcast.

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 fourth episode of The Simple Dollar Podcast focuses on food. I talk about ten tactics for reducing your food bills without reducing health and taste and include a lot of recipes and food suggestions along the way. I also tried a different approach – instead of reading from detailed notes, I tried a more conversational tack. Total time – 21:46.

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 public domain recording of a Camper van Beethoven concert on October 25, 1986. Listen to the concert in its entirety.
0:29 – Some background reading – tactics for making healthy, simple, and cheap meals for you and your family.
1:57 – You’re not “frugal” if you don’t buy the cheapest thing, right?
3:11 – Read my review of Michael Pollan’s In Defense of Food for more on finding real value in food.
5:58 – and that’s the way … we be-came … The Brady Bunch!
7:20 – Here are six examples of simple main dishes based on such staple ingredients.
7:52 – A detailed guide to the art of the marinade.
8:06 – The basics of kitchen spices
9:03 – Is a deep freezer worth it? Yes!
10:11 – This is a great strategy for saving time and money – we do it with more than just chicken breasts.
10:23 – Slow cookers rule! Here are five great recipes for it … and five more.
13:30 Bulk buying can save a ton of money – more than you might think – if you do it right.
13:55 – Here are nine great ways to re-use leftovers in the same vein.
14:12 – … and how to make straight-up leftovers more tasty.
15:54 – Additional details on the “flexible casserole” including a version similar to what I talk about here.
17:11 – Just make your own cream sauce – as healthy as you want it.
19:11 – The neighborhood cooperative concept – or even just cooperating with a neighbor or two – can save you tons of money.
20:01 – Here’s a great way to start planning your meals.
21:40 – 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 third episode of The Simple Dollar Podcast focuses on short-term goals. I talk about several of my own short-term goals and discuss some tactics anyone can apply to make their short term goals and projects a reality. Also discussed: C.S. Lewis, awful corporate motivational posters, Woodward and Bernstein, and which baseball announcer I sound the most like. Total time – 14:20.

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 public domain recording of a Camper van Beethoven concert on October 25, 1986. Listen to the concert in its entirety.
0:16 – Some background reading on short term goals.
0:42 – Uh-oh, dry mouth setting in!
0:53 – Quick gulp of water!
1:11 – An excellent book on procrastination is The Now Habit by Neil Fiore.
1:21 – I can be an awful procrastinator.
1:57 – Here’s An overview of The Chronicles of Narnia.
2:14 – I thought The Magician’s Nephew was the best one in the series.
3:35 – Here’s that very non-motivational poster.
4:02 – And here’s a much better one, with a Lao Tzu quote.
4:22 – Some notes on Getting Things Done by David Allen.
5:42 – Here’s how to plan ahead for meals like I’m talking about.
9:39 – Here’s my notes on a Roth IRA and other retirement savings tools.
9:43 – … and here’s how to develop your own debt repayment plan.
10:19 – A nice guide for installing a programmable thermostat from Frugal Dad.
10:22 – Here’s the Department of Energy’s guide to air sealing your home.
11:35 – All the President’s Men is a great movie.
11:41 – … and so is The Natural.
11:55 – Do I sound more like Ernie Harwell, Vin Scully, or Harry Caray? Or Chip Caray? Or Bob Uecker?
12:30 – Evernote is great!
13:08 – Action Method is a pretty good way of keeping track of what you need to do next.
14:03 – A preview of next week’s topic, food.

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.

Comments and suggestions welcome.

The second episode of The Simple Dollar Podcast focuses on the fulfillment curve. I talk about my own battles with overdoing it and finding a healthy balance, and relate some tips for finding good balances in your own life. Also discussed: coffee shop stereotypes, M.C. Hammer, Oddibe McDowell and Gregg Jefferies, a critique of the first season of True Blood, and how my book stands in the pantheon of modern literature. Total length: 14:52

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 public domain recording of a Camper van Beethoven concert on October 25, 1986. Listen to the concert in its entirety.
0:14 – Background reading: the fulfillment curve.
0:28 – Your Money or Your Life comes up again – here’s a reading guide.
0:48 – Great book suggestion: The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami
0:58 – Great book suggestion: Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides
1:06 – Great book suggestion: The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
1:14 – Essential book suggestion: 365 Ways to Live Cheap by Trent Hamm
1:34 – Some further thoughts on guilt and spending.
2:04 – Stop! Hammertime!
2:26 – How Fahrenheit 451 had a huge impact on me.
3:55 – Why, exactly, do people like Starbucks? I don’t get it.
4:25 – I wrote about the coffee shop thing before in Splurges, Habits, and Projection.
5:29 – The Fruit Bats are a perfect example of this kind of music. Listen in.
6:22 – Like, this Andrew Jackson biography, or this Augusten Burroughs memoir.
6:40 – Woo hoo! PaperBackSwap! I LOVE THIS STUFF!
6:50 – My mouth got really dry here.
7:02 – I snuck a drink of water here.
7:42 – This second is for you, Carolyn!
8:15 – I’ve actually sold a big pile of DVDs before. Here’s how I did it.
8:23 – I recommend using a very simple Mead pocket notebook for this – it works really, really well and fits nicely in the pocket. Don’t forget a pen!
9:45 – True Blood is goofy and over the top, but very fun.
11:12 – The Baseball Card Blog sums up this passion brilliantly.
11:56 – I actually had to find out if I was pronouncing Oddibe McDowell’s name right.
12:15 – A great discussion of Gregg Jefferies and late 1980′s baseball cards by Dave Jamieson.
13:04 – Slate on the enduring popularity of the 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. card – a symbol of the boyhoods of countless guys that are now around age 30.
14:19 – The Frugal Golfer – for all your frugal golfing needs!
14:43 – 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.

Comments and suggestions welcome.