Episodios

  • Did Boomers have it worse than Millennials at their age?

    Did Boomers have it worse than Millennials at their age?
    Apr 17 2026
    Millennials say the system is broken. Boomers say, “Try buying a house at 18% interest.” So… who’s right? This week, Pete, Damian, and Kristen step into one of the most emotionally charged financial debates out there—and do something rare: they put numbers behind the noise. From income to housing, college costs to overall wealth, the crew breaks down what each generation actually faced at the same stage of life. And the results aren’t as clear-cut as social media would have you believe. Yes, Millennials are dealing with sky-high home prices and student loan debt that follows them for decades. But Boomers battled double-digit inflation and mortgage rates that made monthly payments brutal. And when you zoom out? Millennials may actually be ahead in net worth at this point in life—though Boomers still control the majority of total wealth in America. So what’s really going on? This episode reframes the entire argument: it’s not about who worked harder or who had it worse—it’s about timing. When you entered the economy shaped what was possible for you, from buying a home to building wealth. The bigger takeaway? Most people, regardless of generation, feel like the game is harder now. And that might be the most important signal of all. If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “They had it easier,” or “Why does this feel so hard?”—this conversation will give you clarity, context, and a much-needed reset. Here’s why it matters: You don’t get to choose your economy. But you do get to choose how you operate within it.
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    1 h y 8 m
  • Oil prices aren't hurting who you think

    Oil prices aren't hurting who you think
    Apr 10 2026
    Gas prices are climbing again, and if you’re like most people, it feels like your entire financial life just got more expensive overnight. But did it? This week, we take a step back from the headlines and ask a better question: who is actually feeling the impact of higher gas prices—and who just thinks they are? Because the truth is, a 50-cent jump at the pump doesn’t hit everyone the same way. For some households, it’s real financial pressure. For others, it’s more of an emotional reaction than a budget breaker. We break down: The hidden ways oil prices sneak into your daily spending The lifestyles that are most exposed (and least exposed) Why convenience might be costing you more than you think And how to calculate your own personal “gas price impact” By the end of the episode, you’ll know whether rising gas prices are something you need to change your behavior over… or just change your mindset about. Because when it comes to your money, not every headline deserves your stress.
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    1 h y 9 m
  • Pete on the IBJ Podcast: Recession, Iran, and Petrodollars

    Pete on the IBJ Podcast: Recession, Iran, and Petrodollars
    Apr 6 2026
    The U.S. economy has been sending troubling signals for months now in the form of high energy prices, rising inflation, modest hiring and slowing growth of gross domestic product. Then the United States began attacks on Iran in late February. Stalled tanker traffic at the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted the global oil market, and stock investors have yo-yoed along with mixed signals from Washington, D.C., about America’s goals for the war. IBJ personal finance columnist Pete the Planner sees signs that point toward recession in the U.S., as well as a humanitarian crisis in Asia. In this week’s podcast, Pete parses a passel of new challenges and layers on the potential impact of tariff refunds and rising mortgage rates. He also is concerned about the Trump administration’s apparent attempts at influencing investor sentiment with statements about America’s intentions in Iran.
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    45 m
  • How to start your financial life right out of school, and not mess everything up

    How to start your financial life right out of school, and not mess everything up
    Apr 3 2026
    You just graduated, landed a $52,000 job, and moved to Des Moines. You’ve got $35,000 in student loans… and suddenly, real life is very real. This week, Pete, Kristen, and Dame break down what life actually looks like on that salary—from take-home pay to rent, groceries, debt, and everything in between. But instead of just talking about it, they turn it into a game: can each of them build a working monthly plan… without wrecking the future? Along the way, they uncover the real tension every new grad faces: how do you balance survival, stability, and actually enjoying your life? If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I doing okay… or already behind?”—this episode is for you.
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    1 h y 8 m
  • Just moved into our new house. We feel...less excited than we thought we'd be

    Just moved into our new house. We feel...less excited than we thought we'd be
    Mar 27 2026
    You finally upgrade your home. More space, better fit for your family, and—on paper—you can absolutely afford it. So why does it suddenly feel… heavier? This week, Pete and Kristen unpack the emotional side of a financial upgrade that no one really talks about. From “payment shock” to the psychological weight of a bigger life, they explore why even smart, responsible decisions can come with unexpected stress. If you’ve ever made a move that made your life better—but also made your brain a little louder—this episode is for you.
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    1 h y 2 m
  • HS students are learning about money now. Are they being taught the wrong things?

    HS students are learning about money now. Are they being taught the wrong things?
    Mar 20 2026
    High schools across the country are making a big shift—replacing traditional economics classes with personal finance. On the surface, it sounds like a win. After all, most of us could’ve used a better understanding of credit cards, debt, and how money actually works when we were 18. But is this really progress… or just a tradeoff? In this episode, Pete, Damian, and Kristen break down what’s changing—and what might be getting lost in the process. Is the goal of high school to create informed citizens who understand the economy, or functional adults who can manage their own money? And can we realistically do both? Then the team builds the ultimate personal finance class from scratch. What do teens actually need to know before they leave home? From cash flow and credit to compounding and big life decisions, they cover the essentials—and call out what most adults still get wrong. Finally, they bring it home. Because let’s be honest—most of us didn’t get this class either. So what can parents and families do now to teach these lessons in real life, without turning dinner into a lecture? If you’ve ever thought, “Why didn’t anyone teach me this?”—this episode is for you.
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    1 h y 6 m
  • Why leaving money to your kids can backfire

    Why leaving money to your kids can backfire
    Mar 13 2026
    Last Valentine’s Day, listener Lucas from North Carolina wrote in about retiring early and “taking our foot off the gas.” This year, life looks very different. Lucas and his wife recently received a diagnosis for their almost two-year-old daughter that means she may never live independently. That news sent Lucas down a deep research rabbit hole involving wills, trusts, and something called a third-party special needs trust. What started as a plan for early retirement has now become a much bigger question:How do you financially protect a child who may depend on you forever? To help answer that question, Pete and the crew are joined by estate planning attorney Shawn Scott, who specializes in helping families navigate these exact situations. In this episode we discuss: What a special needs trust actually is The difference between first-party and third-party special needs trusts Why leaving money directly to a child with disabilities can create major problems Common mistakes families make with DIY estate planning When online legal tools are okay — and when you really need an attorney How grandparents and other relatives should structure gifts or inheritances Lucas’s story reminds us that estate planning isn’t just about wealth.Sometimes it’s about love, protection, and making sure your child is cared for long after you’re gone. Also: Pete attempts a North Carolinian accent (results may vary).
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    1 h y 4 m
  • Emergency Pod: Stagflation

    Emergency Pod: Stagflation
    Mar 9 2026
    A surge in oil prices tied to rising tensions involving Iran has economists and investors whispering a word we haven’t heard much since the 1970s: stagflation. But what exactly is it—and should you be worried? In this episode, Pete breaks down why spikes in oil prices can ripple through the entire economy, how stagflation happens when inflation and economic slowdown collide, and why energy shocks have historically been the trigger. More importantly, he explains what this moment actually means for households, your budget, and the broader economy. Is stagflation coming… or is this just another scary economic headline? Pete separates the signal from the noise.
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    8 m