The Piggy Bank Chronicles: Recent Episodes
Don and JJ
Episode 55 - Good work
In this episode JJ talks about some advice (from someone smarter than him) on happiness in life and how you might think about applying that to your career as well.
Episode 54 - Think for yourself
JJ dives into 3 key points to consider for your investing journey for decades to come. The episode includes:
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A brief review of the editorial page (courtesy of Chat GPT) and how it has taken over everything
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A quick example (again courtesy of an energetic conversation with Chat GPT) on why context matters
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A conclusion that context matters for investing and podcasting just like it does for news
Episode 53 - Today and Anything
Start saving today. Start saving anything. Then let the power of compounding do its work on your behalf. JJ finally gets around to talking about the power of compounding and why it is one of the most important parts of your investment journey.
Episode 52 - Yes you can
With 3 quotes on perseverance and 1 quote on wealth JJ attempts to motivate you to believe in yourself and the power inside you to achieve whatever is most important to you.
Episode 51 - The fish that ate the fish
Past performance is not a good indicator if future results. Given this is an S&P 500 Index ETF or Mutual Fund still a good investment? JJ gives 3 reasons to consider why the S&P 500 still ranks among the top places for US investors to put a least a portion of their savings.
Episode 50 - Finding your Passion
In this Episode JJ dives into the Next in our VISION acronym to discuss finding your passion.
Article Discussed:
9 Ways To Find Your Passion At Any Age, According To Experts
October 30, 2022
By Sarah Regan
mbg Spirituality & Relationships Editor
https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/how-to-find-your-passion
Podcast Discussed:
Founders
Produced and Hosted by: David Senra
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/founders/id1141877104
Episode 49 - Compounded
Saving early and saving often is the way to go. Wealth is not what you make, it's what you keep. In this episode JJ dives into the why of saving early and saving often as part of the VISION framework and why early is important.
Episode 48 - Courage and Humility
Which is more important to the success of your career and your life, courage or humility? How about both?
Episode 47 - ETF & You
What makes a good investment? Well when it comes to ETF's (and Mutual Funds and even Closed End Funds) there are some basic guidelines that tell us if the ETF or other fund is a good choice. But The secret sauce is deciding if they are good choice for you. We will review a check list for ETF's to decide if they represent something we should be interested in.
Episode 46 - Our Bold Predictions
JJ is joined by his original partner in crime Don to recap the success of their 2023 predictions and look ahead to 2024.
Episode 45 - Simple and effective
Portfolio allocation can be daunting. You can hire a Certified Financial Planner to manage your money, but that cost a good bit of money. You can get a Robo-advisor to manage your money, which cost less, but still costs money. Well as always there is another way. In this episode JJ introduces LifeStrategy and Core Allocation funds from big name companies that do this kind of work for you at a still lower fee structure (in most cases). These may not be for everyone, and if you are young they are probably not for you, but it's always good to know what your options are.
Episode 44 - Our Favorite Movies
The PBC takes money seriously, but we also think that life is about more than just money. In keeping with the VISION concept we dive into what's Next and look at one fun way we live our best lives. Sit back and enjoy this extra long episode where JJ and the gang share with you their favorite movies.
Episode 43 - A Book Review
JJ reviews the book “Quit Like A Millionaire” by Kristy Shen and Bryce Leung.
Episode 42 - 2023 Year End Review
A recap of the highs and lows of Season 1 of the Piggy Bank Chronicles followed by a quick run down of some goals for 2024.
Episode 41 - Investment Showdown #2
In this Episode JJ takes a look at two ETFs that provide income and some measure of growth. The 2 ETFs compared are XLU and VNQ.
Episode 40 - Robert was right, about this
In Episode 40 JJ gives a quick run down on one of the most powerful financial laws you can ever learn, what is the difference between an asset and a liability. JJ provides the definition from Robert Kiyosaki’s ground breaking book Rich Dad Poor Dad, first published in 1997, for the difference between an asset and a liability. He then leads you on a quick review of various items and invites you to participate by saying is it an asset, or a liability.
Episode 39 - A New Definition of Money
In this episode JJ attempts to give listeners a new definition of money. If we measure the value of money based on what we sacrifice to get it, then maybe it will help influence our decisions on how to spend it. Ultimately it is our decision. We just need to understand what that decision represents.
Episode 38 - Portfolio Allocation Considerations
We are all capable of managing our own investments. It can be as easy or as hard as you want it to be. In this episode JJ outlines his personal considerations on what factors you should consider when choosing investments inside of your personal portfolio.
Episode 37 - Robo-Advisors
JJ covers the highlights of the Morningstar 2023 Robo-Advisor Landscape review with an eye towards the idea that not all Robo-Advisors (and by proxy not all Financial Advisors in general) are created equal. Morningstar takes a crack at their interpretation of the good, the bad and the mediocre.
Link to Morningstar Report Page - https://www.morningstar.com/lp/robo-advisor-landscape
Link to Morningstar Article: Not All Robo-Advisors Are Created Equal - https://www.morningstar.com/financial-advice/not-all-robo-advisors-are-created-equal
Episode 36 - Random Ramblings Post September
In this episode JJ provides a preview of the next 2 episodes, looks back at the month to not remember that was September 2023, talks about not investing in something that you don't understand and talks about having a documented thesis for why you bought each investment in your portfolio.
Episode 35 - Investment Showdown #1
In Episode 35 we have our very first installment of the Investment Showdown. JJ compares two of Vanguard's giants in the ETF category in VOO and VTI. He covers their underlying indexes and what makes them a good investment.
Episode 34 - Your crazy neighbor.
JJ provides a simple metaphor to help you better understand the stock market and all of it's ups and downs.
V I S I O N
Episode 33 - Next
JJ goes solo in step 6 of 6 of the VISION series talking about what comes Next. If we stay on the journey to financial freedom we will reach our goal. It's almost impossible not to. The real question then is, what comes next? In this episode we talk about the end of the road being just the beginning of the journey.
The Piggy Bank Chronicles' vision is to help people move toward a purpose driven life.
V - Vision (Determine how you want to live)
I - Insure (Build a starter emergency fund)
S - Save (Eliminate credit card debt and save at least 10% of your income)
I - Invest (Put your money to work for you)
O - Others (Give your time, your energy and your money to help others)
N - Next (Live your life on purpose)
Episode 32 - Others
JJ goes solo in step 5 of 6 of the VISION series talking about helping others. If and how we choose to help others is a very personal decision. JJ puts out a plea to listeners to examine their beliefs about giving and hopefully not to miss out on this best part of the VISION journey.
The Piggy Bank Chronicles' vision is to help people move toward a purpose driven life.
V - Vision (Determine how you want to live)
I - Insure (Build a starter emergency fund)
S - Save (Eliminate credit card debt and save at least 10% of your income)
I - Invest (Put your money to work for you)
O - Others (Give your time, your energy and your money to help others)
N - ?
Episode 31 - Invest
JJ and Roxie keep moving in step 4 of 6 of the VISION series talking about how to invest. Investing is the key to growing wealth and in a not so theatrical way they attempt to show you what getting started might look like.
The Piggy Bank Chronicles' vision is to help people move toward a purpose driven life.
V - Vision (Determine how you want to live)
I - Insure (Build a starter emergency fund)
S - Save (Eliminate credit card debt and save at least 10% of your income)
I - Invest (Put your money to work for you)
O - ?
N - ?
Episode 29 - Insure
JJ and Roxie keep moving in step 3 of 6 of the VISION series talking about how to save. The piggy bank is the iconic image of saving and the mascot for this show so this topic is near and dear to our hearts!
The Piggy Bank Chronicles' vision is to help people move toward a purpose driven life.
V - Vision (Determine how you want to live)
I - Insure (Build a starter emergency fund)
S - Save (Eliminate credit card debt and save at least 10% of your income)
I - ?
O - ?
N - ?
Episode 29 - Insure
JJ and Roxie keep moving in step 2 of 6 of the VISION series talking about how to Insure your financial freedom by establishing a starter emergency fund.
The Piggy Bank Chronicles' vision is to help people move toward a purpose driven life.
V - Vision (Determine how you want to live)
I - Insure (Build a starter emergency fund)
S - ?
I - ?
O - ?
N - ?
Episode 28 - Vision
JJ and Roxie kick off a series dedicated to a 6 step plan for creating a purpose driven life. They review the new vision for the podcast and discuss step 1 of 6, having a vision for your life, your health, your happiness, and your financial freedom.
The Piggy Bank Chronicles' vision is to help people move toward a purpose driven life.
V - Vision
I - ?
S - ?
I - ?
O - ?
N - ?
Episode 27 - Game the game
In Episode 27 Kyle joins JJ to talk about the pending acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Inc by the Microsoft Corporation. Then they hit a bacon bit segment about their top 3 video games of all time.
Episode 26 - Alignment
It's the dawning of a new day as the PBC has a big format change announcement. Then JJ shares his plan for finding balance with your partner when you disagree on matters of personal finance and spending money.
Episode 25 - Individual Stocks
Don and JJ discuss their investment thesis on 4 individual stocks and then jump into a Bacon Bits segment on their favorite fast food restaurants.
Episode 24 - What have I learned from blank?
Running wild and solo JJ decides to conduct a thought experiment and take us all along for the ride. We all hope Don comes back soon!
Episode 23 - The price of being normal.
JJ takes a brief journey some statistics on normal and makes the case that we should strive to be abnormal in a positive way in our spending, saving and our careers.
Episode 22 - When is fruit a good investment.
In the most unusual episode yet Don, JJ and special guest Sam talk about Apple Inc. as a product company and as a potential investment. This episode captures the gang traveling home from BGG.Spring 2023 as they talk about their views on Apple. Intermixed into the questionable audio is JJ's running commentary about Apple financial facts and the big announcement from Apple's World Wide Developer Conference 23, Apple Vision Pro.
Episode 21 - Is cash still king?
Scheduling conflicts leave JJ solo on this random ramblings (rumblings?) episode about interest rates, inflation and the power of cash in your pocket.
Episode 20 - Should you buy individual stocks?
Random Ramblings
JJ goes solo on this short topic podcast to discuss his views on if new investors should consider buying individual stocks.
Episode 19 - Success hasn’t spoiled me yet
In this episode Don and JJ talk about the odds of succeeding at various professions and how that relates to success as an individual investor.
Then the guys jump into a Bacon Bits about their favorite inspirational quotes.
Episode 18 - A reflective JJ goes it alone this week in bonus episode 18. If you want something different to happen, you have to do something different. JJ explores starting the podcast, fears about the process and motivation from surprising places that inspire him to keep going with the message on sensible money management and wealth building.
Episode 17 - The Psychology of Money
In this episode Don is back and joins JJ for a review of Morgan Housel's book the Psychology of Money. Then the guys wrap up with a Bacon Bits segment about their favorite meals and beverages!
Episode 16 - Don is still away so JJ welcomes his wife Roxie to talk about retirement from a personal perspective. Then they close the episode with a Bacon Bits on memorable moments.
Episode 15 - JJ goes sadly solo again to talk about board games and how they can teach us lessons about investing.
Episode 14 - Getting Started
JJ welcomes guest David Naranjo to talk about how to get started being an investor.
Episode 13 - JJ goes solo on bonus episode 13 to talk about Inflation and why it matters to everyone.
Episode 12 - AI Therapy: Can Chatbots really help you feel better? In this 12th Episode Don and JJ talk about Chat Bots, ChatGPT, General AI and an over all discussion of their hopes and fears for AI. The Bacon Bits segment has the guys talking about the best and worst products they have ever purchased.
Bonus Episode 11 - Listen to a book.
In this episode JJ goes sadly solo again to review the book for beginning investors called the Simple Path to Wealth by J. L. Collins.
JL's blog is here - https://jlcollinsnh.com/
Episode 10 - Don and JJ provide (mostly) helpful commentary on Mutual Funds and Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). The guys discuss how they are similar and how they are different. In the Bacon Bits segment they discuss some their favorite books.
Mutual Funds: Different Types and How They Are Priced
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/mutualfund.asp#toc-how-are-mutual-funds-priced
Exchanged-Traded Fund (ETF) Explanation with Pros and Cons
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/etf.asp#toc-etf-creation-and-redemption
Episode 9 - Fear and Greed - In this bonus episode J.J. goes it alone to talk about a topic that is near and dear to the heart of every investor. The mantra know thyself is for investors predicated first and foremost on understanding how strongly they feel fear and greed. Learning about ourselves and what drives us is as important as any other lesson in personal finance.
In episode 8 Don and JJ talk about different types of investing styles outlined in the nerdwallet article linked below. The fellas then close out the episode with a eclectic but interesting round of buy, sell or hold.
9 Investment Strategies for New Investors
https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/investing/investment-strategies
Episode 7 - In bonus episode 7 JJ goes solo to talk about where stocks come from, how they work and why you should care.
In episode 6 Don and JJ talk about emergency funds, eliminating consumer credit debt and saving for an amazing financial future using the metaphor of the 3 little pigs. Then they finish the episode with 3 bold (?) predictions each for 2023.
Episode 5 is a bonus episode of the Piggy Bank Chronicles where JJ goes solo to talk about the power of saving. Don and JJ will be back next week on the normal bi-weekly schedule.
In this 4th episode Don and JJ talk about Robo Advisor pros can cons and finish out with a Bacon Bits segment on their most interesting Christmas gifts for 2022.
Episode 3 - Don and JJ talk about Electric Vehicles or EV's, the good, the bad and the slightly interesting. This weeks Bacon Bits are a quick discussion of Black Friday, Cyber Monday, the progress of Retail in 2022 and Don and JJ's weakness for a good deal online.
Episode 2 - Don and JJ talk about common pitfalls in investing and personal finance and some better alternatives. This weeks Bacon Bits are a quick discussion of video games the guys have played most this year.
Episode 1 - Don and JJ talk a little bit about themselves and what got them interested in finance and investing. Then in Bacon Bits the fellas talk about some of their favorite resources for investing news and research.