Podcasts by Category
The Investing for Beginners Podcast - Your Path to Financial Freedom
The Investing for Beginners Podcast teaches you how to buy your first stocks and build long-term wealth in the stock market— without the hype or confusing jargon. Hosts Andrew Sather and Stephen Morris break down value investing fundamentals into plain English: how to read financial statements, value a company, avoid common beginner mistakes, and build a long-term portfolio you can actually stick with. Plus, in our At Any Rate episodes with host Evan Raidt, we tackle the personal finance side of wealth building— paying off debt, budgeting, saving, and the money debates every household faces before (and while) investing. Stop chasing "get-rich-quick" schemes and start building your path to financial freedom, one episode at a time. Follow for more.
- 1065 - AAR73 - When to Optimize and Wing It
Evan and Andrew take on optimization — the urge to squeeze every last drop out of every financial decision. Sometimes optimizing now pays off massively over time. Other times it's a recipe for a mediocre gain and a drastic increase in stress and time spent. In this episode, they run through seven everyday financial decisions and sort them into three buckets: worth optimizing, good enough, and not worth the trouble — with diminishing returns and real-life trade-offs in mind. What You Will Learn Credit card rewards / churning: NOT worth it. Limited upside for long-term wealth building, with real downside — it baits you into spending more than you otherwise would, and hopping from card to card hurts your credit score. 401(k) contributions: Good enough for most. Get the employer match, contribute a comfortable percentage (around 6%), and invest additional savings elsewhere where you can actually reach them before retirement. Max it out only if you're a high earner and it doesn't squeeze your life. Roth IRA contributions: WORTH optimizing. The best of the bunch, within reason and after your emergency fund and bills are covered. The annual max is low compared to a 401(k), the money grows tax-free, and you can pull out your contributions anytime, tax-free and penalty-free. Budgeting: Set it up, keep it sustainable, and stop there. The early decisions are powerful and low-effort. Optimizing to the nth degree gets exponentially more painful for almost no extra gain. Fudge factors are your friend. Taxes: Use a tax professional; don't DIY-optimize the tax code. Tax optimization is wealth-keeping, not wealth-building, and a write-off is never free money. Investing early: WORTH optimizing. Time matters more than amount. Even small amounts, started early — even for your kids — compound into life-changing numbers. Insurance shopping: Shop if you're clearly overpaying; otherwise skip it. A couple of hours to save hundreds a month is worth it. Hours of applications to save $10–20 a month is not. Timestamps 00:00 — What "good enough" really means 07:00 — Credit card rewards and churning 12:00 — 401(k) contributions 18:00 — Roth IRA contributions (the one worth optimizing) 23:00 — Budgeting (and permission to buy the stick of gum) 31:00 — Taxes and the tax code 38:00 — Investing early (compound interest, the eighth wonder) 45:00 — Shopping for insurance 51:00 — Close: one smart move at a time Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Free monthly budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/ Email Evan: evan@einvestingforbeginners.com Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, financial freedom is built one smart move at a time. Keep it simple, keep it steady, and at any rate, we’ll see you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Turn your biggest monthly expense into rewards. Bilt lets you earn points on rent payments with no transaction fees, redeemable for travel, fitness classes, and more at joinbilt.com/investing Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Take your investing up a notch with MooMoo — commission-free trading, pro-level research tools, and real-time market data, all in one app. Get started at start.moomoo.com/BEGINNERS Sending money across borders? Wise gives you the real exchange rate with low, transparent fees and no hidden markups. Join millions managing money globally at wise.com Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tue, 27 Oct 2026 - 1064 - Solar Is Now the Cheapest Power on Earth — with Peter Davidson
Renewable energy has gone from expensive science project to the cheapest way to build power in America — and most investors still don't understand how the business actually works. In this interview, Andrew sits down with Peter Davidson, CEO of Aligned Climate Capital, to break down the economics of solar power: how solar farms actually make money (it's more like building a rental apartment than a tech startup), why over 90% of new US power generation being built is wind, solar, and batteries, how AI and data centers are driving a 5x surge in electricity demand, and the risks investors need to watch — permitting, NIMBYism, and interest rates. They also get into the grid (built for one day a year), virtual power plants, advanced geothermal, small modular nuclear, and the public companies worth knowing. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned investor, this is the cleanest walkthrough of the energy transition we've put out. What You Will Learn How a solar farm actually makes money — the offtake-agreement model, explained like a rental apartment Why solar and wind are now the cheapest ways to build new power (the curves have crossed) Why over 90% of new US power generation is wind, solar, and batteries — and what that means for investors How AI and data centers are driving electricity demand growth from 0.5% to 2.5% per year (a 5x jump) Why a solar farm gets built in 6 months while a gas plant takes 2–3 years (and gas turbines have a 4–6 year backlog) The real risks: permitting, NIMBYism, and why interest rates are the number to watch How the grid works — and why it was built for a single peak day each year What virtual power plants are, and why your home battery could sell power back to the grid What's next: advanced geothermal, small modular nuclear, and higher-upside energy bets The public companies Peter names: Nextracker, NextEra, Bloom Energy, Hannon Armstrong Timestamps 00:00 — What's happening in renewable energy 02:31 — What most investors don't understand about solar power 04:52 — Solar is now ~13% of US electricity (up from 1–2%) 07:31 — "Building a solar farm is like building a rental apartment" 09:01 — The input of solar power is free 10:52 — Over 90% of new US power built is wind, solar, and battery 11:39 — Are we running out of land for solar? 14:27 — Wind farm myths: noise, bird kills, and cats 16:39 — Agrivoltaics: farming and solar on the same land 19:03 — Energy demand growth going from 0.5% to 2.5% (a 5x jump) 22:42 — Gas turbine backlog: 4–6 years from GE or Siemens 25:00 — Aligned's two strategies: buying solar farms + venture investing 28:31 — Public companies to know: Nextracker, NextEra, Bloom Energy 32:47 — Higher upside, higher risk opportunities in energy 37:14 — Utility companies as investments 41:25 — The grid: the greatest machine ever built (and it's built for peak) 45:48 — Why doesn't every home have a battery? 47:51 — The urban challenge: renters, apartments, and city EV charging 49:01 — How high can solar's 13% share realistically go? 49:27 — Australia hits 100% renewables at times of day 50:52 — EVs: 1 in 4 cars sold globally is now electric 52:58 — The risk investors must watch: interest rates Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Aligned Climate Capital: https://alignedclimatecapital.com/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Turn your biggest monthly expense into rewards. Bilt lets you earn points on rent payments with no transaction fees, redeemable for travel, fitness classes, and more at joinbilt.com/investing Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Take your investing up a notch with MooMoo — commission-free trading, pro-level research tools, and real-time market data, all in one app. Get started at start.moomoo.com/BEGINNERS Sending money across borders? Wise gives you the real exchange rate with low, transparent fees and no hidden markups. Join millions managing money globally at wise.com Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mon, 26 Oct 2026 - 1063 - The Language of Business, Part 1: Accounting Doesn't Have to Suck
There's one thing Andrew and Stephen can talk about that instantly puts everybody to sleep: accounting. Spreadsheets, debits, credits — boring. But it's also the single most important skill an investor can build, because accounting is the language every business on earth speaks. So they're launching a new series: The Language of Business — a Khan-Academy-style walkthrough of financial statements, one bite-sized concept at a time, with zero promises it'll be entertaining (but they'll try). Part 1 starts with the foundations: the basic business model (revenue, expenses, profit) through the story of an 11-year-old kid who built a landscaping empire from his dad's "borrowed" push mower, the core accounting equation (Assets = Liabilities + Equity), why cash and accrual accounting are completely different animals, and exactly where to find the numbers in a real 10-K. Plus: Andrew's lawn-mowing allergy trauma, Stephen's hay-baling war stories, and the adjusted EBITDA confession Stephen's been sitting on for years. What You Will Learn The basic business model in one line: revenue minus expenses equals profit — illustrated through an 11-year-old's lawnmower business The core accounting equation (Assets = Liabilities + Equity) and why it always has to balance What depreciation actually is — and why a $10 lawnmower "costs" $2 a year for five years without spending another dime Cash vs. accrual accounting: why signing a contract and getting paid are two different events, and why the stock market runs on accrual Deferred/unearned revenue explained through Netflix subscriptions Where to find financial statements in a real 10-K (spoiler: Item 8) — plus your homework assignment Why "adjusted EBITDA" is a number you should basically ignore Timestamps 00:00 — Doctorates, and Dr. Dre 03:45 — The series pitch: making accounting tolerable 04:15 — Why Andrew loves spreadsheets + the AI bit 06:40 — Put in the reps: follow along with real companies 08:00 — Trishawn's story: the 11-year-old lawnmower mogul from Toledo 11:50 — Segment 1: The basic business model — revenue, expenses, net profit 15:35 — Segment 2: The core equation — Assets = Liabilities + Equity 18:25 — Wear and tear: reinvesting (or not) in the business 19:10 — Andrew's lawn-mowing allergy trauma 20:20 — Stephen's hay-baling war story 21:50 — Depreciation & amortization, lawnmower-style 23:55 — Buying with cash vs. borrowed money: swapping assets 25:30 — The balance scale graphic 25:40 — Segment 3: Cash vs. accrual — the clean take 27:25 — "Bobby is a baller" — the Costco-level operator 29:05 — Subscription models: Netflix, Prime, and deferred revenue 31:15 — Unearned revenue + the Thomas Ittelson book recommendation 33:10 — Stephen's adjusted EBITDA confession 34:15 — Segment 4: Where to find the numbers — 10-K, SEC.gov vs. investor relations Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Turn your biggest monthly expense into rewards. Bilt lets you earn points on rent payments with no transaction fees, redeemable for travel, fitness classes, and more at joinbilt.com/investing Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Take your investing up a notch with MooMoo — commission-free trading, pro-level research tools, and real-time market data, all in one app. Get started at start.moomoo.com/BEGINNERS Sending money across borders? Wise gives you the real exchange rate with low, transparent fees and no hidden markups. Join millions managing money globally at wise.com Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thu, 22 Oct 2026 - 1062 - AAR72 - Financial Tier List
Evan and Andrew rank 14 personal financial decisions on a tier list — S tier means everybody should do it, F tier means never do it — all judged for a hypothetical 30-year-old: married, decent-but-not-stellar finances, Walmart glasses. Three decisions earn S tier. Three land in F. And the 72-month car loan sparks the episode's most surprising debate. What You Will Learn Why capturing your full 401(k) match is an instant, guaranteed 100% return The hidden trap of maxing your 401(k): when your net worth is $400K but you can only afford $900 rent The Roth IRA trick most people miss — contributions come back out anytime, penalty-free The 72-month car loan debate: worse than it sounds, or actually reasonable? Why annuities lose on fees and legacy — and the one reason to keep them anyway Day trading = gambling: good luck out-surfing the algorithms The buy-now-pay-later trap: death by a thousand stacked payments Timestamps 00:00 — The game: ranking financial decisions F to S; meet our 30-year-old 04:45 — #1: Capturing the full 401(k) match → S tier 05:58 — #2: Maxing out the 401(k) → C tier (the sustainability argument) 08:39 — Sidebar: does E tier exist? (E tier eliminated) 10:28 — #3: Emergency fund in a high-yield savings account → S tier 11:24 — #4: Index fund investing → A tier (the S-tier debate) 14:13 — #5: Roth IRA contributions → S tier (withdraw contributions anytime) 17:49 — #6: Credit card rewards → B tier 19:11 — #7: Paying off a 3% mortgage early → D tier 22:02 — #8: A 72-month car loan → C tier (Andrew lobbied for B-) 25:08 — #9: Annuities → D tier (the death-benefit debate) 31:56 — #10: Financial advisor charging 1% → D tier 35:11 — #11: Day trading → F tier ("good luck surfing the algorithms") 39:28 — #12: Investing in crypto → D tier (Andrew's $15 in Solana) 41:55 — #13: Timeshares → F tier 43:43 — #14: Buy now, pay later → F tier (financing a Chipotle burrito) 47:37 — Final tier list recap Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Free monthly budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/ Email Evan: evan@einvestingforbeginners.com Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, financial freedom is built one smart move at a time. Keep it simple, keep it steady, and at any rate, we’ll see you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Turn your biggest monthly expense into rewards. Bilt lets you earn points on rent payments with no transaction fees, redeemable for travel, fitness classes, and more at joinbilt.com/investing Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Take your investing up a notch with MooMoo — commission-free trading, pro-level research tools, and real-time market data, all in one app. Get started at start.moomoo.com/BEGINNERS Sending money across borders? Wise gives you the real exchange rate with low, transparent fees and no hidden markups. Join millions managing money globally at wise.com Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tue, 20 Oct 2026 - 1061 - No Moat, No Problem? What HPE's Moonshot Teaches Value Investors
Stephen found HPE the way all great stock stories start — thumbing through a screener, bored between meetings, when a ticker up 180% caught his eye. "What is HPE? Never even heard of that." What he found was the old HP enterprise business, spun off and reborn: GreenLake's $3.5 billion subscription machine, a $14 billion Juniper acquisition, and a stock that went from under $13 to $60 in months. This week, Stephen and Andrew tear into the question at the heart of it: is Hewlett Packard Enterprise really an AI infrastructure play — or a boring server vendor in an AI costume? They dig into the numbers (operating cash flow up 405% in a quarter), the valuation puzzle (forward P/E under 15 vs. an industry at 30), the moat problem (there isn't one — yet), and the $14 billion gamble that will decide everything. Plus: the HP printer rant, the "Sasspocalypse," and why Stephen sold his entire day-trading account to play HPE. What You Will Learn What HPE actually is (hint: not the printer company) and how the HP/HPE spin-off worked How GreenLake's subscription model turns boring hardware into $3.5B of recurring revenue Why the $14B Juniper acquisition is the defining bet of the AI trade — and what has to go right How to think about valuation when a stock looks "stupid cheap" (forward P/E 12–15 vs. industry 30) The divide-and-conquer method for researching companies with multiple business segments Why "no moat" should scare you — and the framework for deciding whether to invest anyway What gross margin expansion tells you about a business's future (the GreenLake effect) Timestamps 00:00 — Welcome back: the game is AI 01:53 — How Stephen found HPE on a stock screener 03:32 — HP vs. HPE: the spin-off explained 06:24 — GreenLake: the $3.5B subscription machine 08:24 — From under $13 to $60: the rocket ship 12:54 — The $1.2B Vultr order and the Oracle halo 13:40 — How to research multi-segment companies 17:09 — "Stupid cheap"? The valuation puzzle 19:26 — The moat question 24:52 — A management team that's been together 7 years 28:13 — Confession: Stephen sold everything to trade HPE 29:17 — Gross margins and the GreenLake effect 31:35 — The fear: "it's like a bad breakup" 36:14 — Three years of revenue for one acquisition 40:15 — Listener shout-outs: Zachary and William Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Turn your biggest monthly expense into rewards. Bilt lets you earn points on rent payments with no transaction fees, redeemable for travel, fitness classes, and more at joinbilt.com/investing Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Take your investing up a notch with MooMoo — commission-free trading, pro-level research tools, and real-time market data, all in one app. Get started at start.moomoo.com/BEGINNERS Sending money across borders? Wise gives you the real exchange rate with low, transparent fees and no hidden markups. Join millions managing money globally at wise.com Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mon, 19 Oct 2026 - 1060 - Path to Confidence Finale: The Habits That Build a Confident Investor
Confidence in investing doesn't mean you feel certain — like you finally found the right stock and now you're just calm. Real confidence is way less emotional than that. It's about having habits that keep you from doing dumb stuff when you're scared, or dumb stuff when you're excited. In the finale of the Path to Confidence series, Stephen and Andrew break down the investing habits that actually build confidence over time — habits that build trust in you, not the market. Stephen shares his three-tier habit system (Input, Decision, Review), Andrew shares the guardrails that keep his emotions out of his decisions, and they get honest about the bad habits they've had to kill along the way — from paralysis by analysis to putting off sleep to binge a show at 10pm. Plus: why your brain literally rewires itself every time you build a habit, the 24-hour rule everyone should steal, and the number one rule of confident investing — be intellectually honest with yourself. What You Will Learn Why confidence isn't certainty — it's habits that protect you from your own emotions Stephen's 3-tier system: Input habits (what you consume), Decision habits (guardrails for choices), Review habits (regular check-ins) Habit stacking: how to attach a new habit to one you already have so it sticks Andrew's rule: never make an investing decision the same day — let it percolate overnight The 24-hour rule: the one habit everyone should steal to kill emotional decisions "Paralysis by analysis" — why endless learning without executing is the beginner's most destructive habit Stephen's story: trying to keep up with Andrew, burning out, and course-correcting before it cost him everything How your brain physically builds new neural pathways when you form a habit The #1 rule: be intellectually honest with yourself about what actually works for you Timestamps 00:00 — Welcome in: the Path to Confidence finale 08:50 — The habits that creep in on you (and where they can lead) 10:56 — Andrew's confession: paralysis by analysis 14:31 — Habit stacking, explained 17:18 — Stephen's 3-tier system: Input, Decision, Review 22:49 — Andrew's rule: never decide on the same day 34:36 — Emotional mistakes: buying the rip 38:31 — Stephen's worst habit: refusing to sleep 41:15 — Measuring sticks and the circle of competence 46:51 — The 24-hour rule everyone should steal 48:57 — Your brain on habits (Switch on Your Brain) 50:48 — The weekly solo reset: quiet time in nature 51:21 — Rule #1: be intellectually honest with yourself Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Turn your biggest monthly expense into rewards. Bilt lets you earn points on rent payments with no transaction fees, redeemable for travel, fitness classes, and more at joinbilt.com/investing Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Take your investing up a notch with MooMoo — commission-free trading, pro-level research tools, and real-time market data, all in one app. Get started at start.moomoo.com/BEGINNERS Sending money across borders? Wise gives you the real exchange rate with low, transparent fees and no hidden markups. Join millions managing money globally at wise.com Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thu, 15 Oct 2026 - 1059 - AAR71 - Are You a Financial Green Flag or Red Flag?
Evan and Andrew take the viral red-flag/green-flag dating game and turn it on your wallet. Eleven money habits get judged — streaming subscriptions, credit card debt, eating out, beat-up cars, family loans, car leases, prenups, paying cash, 5-star hotels, and splitting bills with a partner. Some verdicts are obvious. A few of them got surprisingly deep. What You Will Learn Why subscribing to every streaming service is a red flag — and the rotate-and-cancel fix The brutal math on funding retirement while carrying credit card debt The leftovers hack that effectively halves your eating-out bill When a beat-up car on a $100K salary is a green flag (and when "car dandruff" flips it red) Why leasing is usually a losing game — and the iPhone lease that made Evan snap The right way to split bills when partners earn very different incomes (plus the app built for it) Why "faithful in small things" predicts your entire financial life Timestamps 00:00— Welcome to At Any Rate: how the game works 03:38 — Flag #1: Subscribes to every streaming service (RED) 07:08 — Flag #2: Maxing retirement while carrying credit card debt (RED) 09:57 — Flag #3: Eats out for every meal (RED) + the leftovers hack 14:54 — Flag #4: Beat-up car on a $100K salary (GREEN — unless it's unsafe) 17:41 — Flag #5: Refuses loans with family (BEIGE) — deeper than expected 23:18 — Flag #6: Leases a new car… or a Tesla (RED) + the iPhone lease rant 30:41 — Flag #7: Wants a prenup (IT DEPENDS) 35:53 — Flag #8: Pays cash, avoids credit cards (RED) + the lawn company chargeback story 41:33 — Flag #9: Only stays in 5-star hotels (RED RED RED) + the Sam Walton story 45:31 — Flag #10: Splits bills 50/50 with unequal incomes (RED) + MeetHalfway.app Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Free monthly budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/ Email Evan: evan@einvestingforbeginners.com Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, financial freedom is built one smart move at a time. Keep it simple, keep it steady, and at any rate, we’ll see you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Turn your biggest monthly expense into rewards. Bilt lets you earn points on rent payments with no transaction fees, redeemable for travel, fitness classes, and more at joinbilt.com/investing Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Take your investing up a notch with MooMoo — commission-free trading, pro-level research tools, and real-time market data, all in one app. Get started at start.moomoo.com/BEGINNERS Sending money across borders? Wise gives you the real exchange rate with low, transparent fees and no hidden markups. Join millions managing money globally at wise.com Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tue, 13 Oct 2026 - 1058 - Tesla: Bullish on the Company, Bearish on the Stock
Stephen and Andrew ignore the headlines and the Twitter drama and look at Tesla the company — the EVs, the $30 billion robotaxi bet, the robots, and a balance sheet holding roughly $44 billion in liquid assets. Both are bullish on the business. Neither will touch the stock at $393 with a trailing PE over 300. Along the way: Stephen's biggest investing regret (an Army signing bonus that could have bought Tesla at the IPO), why Andrew isn't shaking his 11% Uber position, and the question hanging over it all — how much of the Tesla bear case is just feelings about Elon? What You Will Learn Why letting personal bias about a CEO dictate allocation destroys wealth The story of Stephen's Tesla IPO miss — and what it taught him about IPOs What Tesla's $30B in new financing is really funding (robotaxis, semis, robots) The robotaxi debate: constitutional concerns vs. the unit-economics reality Why Tesla's balance sheet looks like Apple's — and why Moody's disagrees Where to draw the line between investing with your conscience and investing on vibes Timestamps 00:00 – Why we're talking Tesla (and ignoring all the drama) 02:00 – Confession: the Jeep guy loves EVs 06:00 – Stephen's biggest regret: the IPO that got away 10:00 – Tesla today: $30B financing, new mission statement, Megapack 15:00 – Robotaxis: Stephen's concerns vs. Andrew's Uber bull case 25:00 – Valuation check: $393 stock, 331 PE, waiting for $275 37:00 – The $44 billion balance sheet 40:00 – "I'm not looking at him as my friend, I'm looking at him as an ATM" 47:00 – Can legacy automakers catch up? 51:00 – Robots building robots, and why optimism wins Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Turn your biggest monthly expense into rewards. Bilt lets you earn points on rent payments with no transaction fees, redeemable for travel, fitness classes, and more at joinbilt.com/investing Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Take your investing up a notch with MooMoo — commission-free trading, pro-level research tools, and real-time market data, all in one app. Get started at start.moomoo.com/BEGINNERS Sending money across borders? Wise gives you the real exchange rate with low, transparent fees and no hidden markups. Join millions managing money globally at wise.com Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mon, 12 Oct 2026 - 1057 - Path to Confidence: Stop Checking Your Stocks Every Day
If your definition of success is "my account was green today," you're letting the market control your emotions — and that's not investing, that's stress. Stephen opens up about his old habit of living and dying by red and green days, and why that rollercoaster is the fastest way to kill your motivation and quit. Andrew admits the emotions never fully disappear, even after years of doing this — but shares the reframe that changed everything for him: if you're in the wealth-building stage, you should be cheering when the market drops, because you're buying assets, not harvesting them. From there, it's all about replacement yardsticks. Stephen lays out his three: the accumulation yardstick (rate your conviction 1–10 and don't own anything below a 7), the income yardstick (track your dividends compounding upward), and the business performance yardstick (is the company still executing your original thesis?). Andrew counters with his fundamentals dashboard and a process-based measure — hours spent studying businesses, not tickers watched. Plus the stat that should haunt every investor: 90% fail the 2.5-year holding test. It closes with the simplest possible starting point: three yes-or-no questions anyone can ask tonight. What You Will Learn Why daily price-checking creates a dopamine/anxiety cycle that destroys motivation How to reframe red days as opportunity when you're still in the wealth-building stage Stephen's 3 yardsticks: conviction, dividend income, and business performance vs. thesis Why Andrew measures fundamentals on a dashboard instead of watching stock prices The 2.5-year test — and using portfolio turnover rate as a reality check Process yardsticks: measuring the work you put in, not the market's mood 3 yes/no questions any beginner can use to measure progress tonight Timestamps 0:00 Stephen's old habit: living and dying by green/red days 2:00 Andrew: the emotions are real — brainwash yourself to like red 6:25 Proactive shields: monthly check-ins + killing brokerage notifications 10:20 Yardstick #1: the accumulation yardstick (conviction ratings + Casey's) 14:25 Andrew's dashboard: measuring fundamentals, not prices 15:30 Yardstick #2: the income/dividend yardstick 18:45 Yardstick #3: business performance vs. your original thesis 22:05 Time-in-market + the 2.5-year test most investors fail 25:25 Andrew's process yardstick: hours studying, not companies covered 30:30 The 3 yes-or-no questions for anyone starting from zero 31:50 Andrew's one thing: the checklist that forces you to zoom out 32:35 Buffett's 12D chess + the weight-loss analogy Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Turn your biggest monthly expense into rewards. Bilt lets you earn points on rent payments with no transaction fees, redeemable for travel, fitness classes, and more at joinbilt.com/investing Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Take your investing up a notch with MooMoo — commission-free trading, pro-level research tools, and real-time market data, all in one app. Get started at start.moomoo.com/BEGINNERS Sending money across borders? Wise gives you the real exchange rate with low, transparent fees and no hidden markups. Join millions managing money globally at wise.com Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thu, 08 Oct 2026 - 1056 - AAR70 - Money Debates 3: Crypto, Renting, College, and more
Crypto allocation vs gambling • Starter home vs buying nicer • Renting a room for income • Paying for kids’ college • Car cash vs low-rate financing In this round of Money Debates, Evan and Andrew go rapid-fire through some of the spiciest personal finance arguments—starting with crypto and ending with the “cash vs cheap financing” car question. The through-line is simple: you can make a lot of different choices work if you’re honest about risk, incentives, and your own behavior. You’ll hear them land on a few consistent principles: keep speculative bets small (if at all), don’t buy a home you’ll hate living in, be realistic about the messiness of roommates/tenants, and treat big financial “gifts” (like college help) as a mindset/values conversation—not just a money decision. What You Will Learn Crypto: It can be a tiny allocation, but most of the ecosystem still rewards hype/greed and makes scams too easy. Starter homes: Often the only realistic entry point today—but only smart if you can stay long enough and won’t be miserable. Renting a room: Big upside in monthly cash flow, but the downside risk (drama, damage, squatting/tenant issues) is real. College help: If you can help without creating entitlement, it can be a huge springboard—plus scholarships/aid are wildly underused. Car decision: “Math” says low-rate financing can be fine; “behavior” says cash keeps people from overspending. Balance wins. Timestamps 0:00 — Debate 1: Crypto in your portfolio vs straight-up gambling 1:00 — Pro-crypto case: new funding model + Bitcoin as a hedge (in theory) 3:45 — Anti-crypto case: execution hasn’t matched the promise + pump-and-dump culture 7:55 — Debate 2: Is buying a starter home a smart move? 8:25 — Pro-starter home: often the only affordable way to build equity and options 11:10 — Anti-starter home angle: incentives get messy with roommates/dating + don’t stretch too far 12:40 — The real deciding factor: don’t buy a home you’ll hate, because you can’t exit quickly 14:05 — Debate 3: Renting out a room for extra income (worth it or not?) 16:05 — Pro-renting-a-room: huge monthly upside vs most side gigs + “unused space” argument 19:30 — Debate 4: Pay for your kid’s college vs let them figure it out 20:05 — Pro-paying: 529s + compounding + avoiding life-altering student debt decisions at 18 25:10 — The middle ground: help what you can without raising entitlement; support isn’t only money 28:05 — Debate 5: Buy a car in cash vs low-rate financing (0–3%) 30:05 — Financing case: if the rate is truly low and budget is solid, quality-of-life can justify it 32:20 — Reality check: don’t use financing to “level up” from Camry to Rivian just because you can 33:35 — Two helpful back-catalog references: AAR67 (Ratio Rulebook) + AAR03 (Budgeting) Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Free monthly budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/ Email Evan: evan@einvestingforbeginners.com Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, financial freedom is built one smart move at a time. Keep it simple, keep it steady, and at any rate, we’ll see you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tue, 06 Oct 2026 - 1055 - Meta’s AI Spending: Genius Move or Zuck Losing It?
Meta is spending aggressively on AI infrastructure—and the big question is whether that’s visionary or reckless. Andrew frames Meta as primarily an advertising business today, while Stephen digs into what Meta’s leadership is signaling about 2026–2027 capex visibility (and how murky “2028 and beyond” still looks). From there, the conversation turns into what investors actually have to believe to own Meta: trust in Zuckerberg’s control and decision-making, plus a belief that AI becomes a durable, monetizable platform shift. Then you get into the messy parts: trust (AI agents with access to your life), security risk, and the ethical/legal overhang from lawsuits and public perception. The episode closes with Andrew walking through why the numbers look undeniably strong—growth rates that don’t make sense for a company Meta’s size, margin discipline, and shareholder returns—while still admitting the qualitative risks are what keep him on the sidelines. What You Will Learn How to think about Meta as an ad business today vs. an AI platform bet tomorrow What Meta’s capex visibility (2026–2027) implies—and why “2028+” is the scary part The two big “belief requirements” to invest in Meta: Zuck + AI Where Meta’s AI strategy could fail: trust, monetization, cost curve, regulation Why Meta’s financials look so strong even while the narrative stays controversial Timestamps 0:00 Welcome back + why Meta/AI is the focus today 1:15 “Are you feeling AI fatigue?” + Andrew admits he’s all-in (NVIDIA) 2:05 What is Meta right now? Framing it as an advertising business first 4:10 The core hesitation: you’re still buying ads + confidence in advertiser durability 5:55 The capex quote: Meta confident in 2026–2027 use cases, fuzzy after that 7:20 What investors must believe: Zuckerberg control + belief in AI’s future 9:05 Compute, data, parameters: why Meta is spending like crazy (and the long game) 12:55 Trust + security: AI agents, hard drive access, and “if an ATM can be hacked…” 15:10 Lawsuits + conscience: can you invest if you think the accusations are real? 19:40 The numbers case: growth rates, margins, SG&A discipline, buybacks/dividend—“buy on charts, hesitate on story” Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing The Perfect Jean makes insanely comfortable, great-fitting jeans you can wear all day—check them out at theperfectjean.nyc. Function Health helps you get ahead of your health with comprehensive lab testing and clear, actionable insights—learn more at functionhealth.com. Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mon, 05 Oct 2026 - 1054 - Path to Confidence: Build an Investing Playbook
Everybody has a plan until the market punches them in the mouth. In this episode, Stephen and Andrew break down how to remove emotion from investing by building a mechanical “if-then” playbook—rules you decide ahead of time so you don’t improvise when fear hits. They connect the idea to real-world high-stress training (military, first responders, pilots): when things go sideways, you fall back on rehearsed systems, not gut reactions. They walk through how to write rules per stock (not just for the whole portfolio), why selling rules are rarely discussed, and how to set “eject button” triggers that protect you from sunk cost fallacy and self-justification. The episode closes with a listener's question about receiving a large sum of money—how to slow down, define your time horizon, avoid paying “tuition” with a big lump sum, and choose an investing path you can stick with. What You Will Learn How to create if-then rules that reduce panic decisions Why you should build rules before buying a stock (not during a crisis) How to think about sell triggers (and why most investors avoid the topic) How to use “do nothing” as a legitimate strategy when markets get chaotic What to consider when investing a large lump sum (time horizon, pacing, confidence) Timestamps 00:00 Why this episode: removing emotion when you “should” be panicking 01:05 Training under stress: why systems beat gut instincts in real life (and investing) 02:10 Hydroplaning analogy: don’t overcorrect when things get scary 04:35 The core tool: building an “if-then plan” (borrowed from trading, adapted to investing) 06:10 Why investors rarely talk about selling—and why that’s a problem 07:05 “Shopping wholesale”: how to think when the market drops hard 09:20 Per-stock rules vs portfolio-wide rules (and why per-stock is safer) 12:50 Real example: Spotify rules—buy dips, avoid sunk cost fallacy, know your eject button 17:50 Hard rules: dividend cuts + capital return as a key part of Andrew’s framework 34:28 Listener question: what to do with a large sum of money (time horizon + pacing + don’t rush) Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing The Perfect Jean makes insanely comfortable, great-fitting jeans you can wear all day—check them out at theperfectjean.nyc. Function Health helps you get ahead of your health with comprehensive lab testing and clear, actionable insights—learn more at functionhealth.com. Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thu, 01 Oct 2026 - 1053 - AAR69 - Behind the Curtain - How Money Actually Moves
Most of us don’t handle money directly anymore—we rely on platforms, banks, brokerages, and middlemen. In this episode, Evan and Andrew break down how those businesses actually make money off you, where the hidden costs live, and the practical moves you can use to “stack the deck” back in your favor. From credit card interest and swipe fees, to investing expense ratios, to overdraft traps, to mortgage math and real estate agent incentives—this is a plain-English walkthrough of the stuff nobody explains until it’s too late. What You Will Learn Credit cards make money mainly from interest, transaction (swipe) fees, and sometimes annual fees—and they’re designed to make spending feel painless. In investing, “small” fees (expense ratios, advisor fees, trading friction) can become massive over time because they compound against you. Banks profit by using your deposits to earn returns while paying you little—plus they rake in fees like overdraft and minimum balance penalties. Mortgages are interest-front-loaded, so moving too soon can mean you paid mostly interest and built little equity. Real estate agents are often incentivized to close fast and at higher prices, so you should consider asking for single-party representation or even flat-fee/hourly structures. Timestamps 0:00 — Credit cards = short-term loans (and why rates are so high) 1:35 — Where card companies profit: interest, swipe fees, annual fees 3:05 — The real “win”: never carry a balance + avoid annual fees 4:25 — Why frictionless spending (tap/phone pay) makes you spend more 6:10 — Annual-fee cards: why the math usually doesn’t work 8:55 — Stock market basics: ownership, raising capital, buybacks, stock comp 13:10 — If commissions are “free,” how do brokers make money now? 17:10 — Practical defense #2: don’t day trade (you’re fighting the machine) 18:00 — Practical defense #3: don’t overpay for advice in wealth-building years 19:20 — Fees stack: advisor fees + fund fees + taxes can crush returns 20:15 — Banks: how they profit from your deposits (and why it matters) 25:10 — Why switching checking accounts is a pain (and banks know it) 28:10 — Mortgage optimization: credit score, shopping rates, extra principal 32:40 — Flat-fee/hourly agents: why it can align incentives better Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Free monthly budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/ Email Evan: evan@einvestingforbeginners.com Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, financial freedom is built one smart move at a time. Keep it simple, keep it steady, and at any rate, we’ll see you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tue, 29 Sep 2026 - 1052 - Cummins (CMI): Record Quarter, Falling Stock — What Wall Street Sees
Cummins just printed a monster quarter—record revenue, raised guidance, and strong-looking headline numbers—yet the stock has been sliding hard. In this episode, Stephen and Andrew walk through why that disconnect happens and how to avoid the “headline trap” where a good quarter gets mistaken for a good stock. The big theme: stop reacting to the press release and start underwriting the business like a lender would—dig into what’s actually driving results and what could break. They cover Cummins’ segment mix (and why profits can matter more than revenue), what to look for in margins when costs are rising, and how to think about cyclicality without overreacting to once-in-a-generation macro events. The episode wraps with a practical checklist mindset: look for one-time boosts (acquisitions, refunds, accounting noise), sanity-check cash flow, and remember that the learning curve never ends—your job is to catch mistakes early and course-correct. What You Will Learn How to separate a great quarter from a great stock How to use segment revenue vs segment profitability to see what’s really driving results What margin trends (gross + operating) can tell you about cost pressure vs pricing power How to evaluate cyclicality using operating margin history (without overfitting one bad year) A simple framework for spotting one-time boosts that can “fake” strength Timestamps 00:00 Why Cummins is interesting: record quarter, stock still falling 01:30 The core question: what does Wall Street see that the headlines don’t? 02:15 First step: start with the earnings call + identify the real driver (data centers/power) 04:31 “Destination Zero” + why Cummins is more than “just engines” 05:33 Andrew’s approach: segment revenue vs segment profitability (and why it matters) 07:15 Transformation stories: legacy stability + fast-growing segment upside 10:46 Explaining price drops: using bear cases/analyst reports as clues, not gospel 13:00 Costs rising vs revenue rising: what “good” looks like through margins 17:17 Moat discussion: brand power, supplier presence, and quality as a competitive edge 32:31 Avoiding the trap: acquisitions + one-time items + cash flow as your “metal detector” Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing The Perfect Jean makes insanely comfortable, great-fitting jeans you can wear all day—check them out at theperfectjean.nyc. Function Health helps you get ahead of your health with comprehensive lab testing and clear, actionable insights—learn more at functionhealth.com. Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mon, 28 Sep 2026 - 1051 - Path to Confidence: Why the Best Investors Rarely Swing
Every day, mainstream financial media demands that you swing at the latest hot stock, IPO, or macroeconomic tech trend. But the greatest investors in history succeed not by swinging at every pitch, but by ruthlessly defining their "Circle of Competence" and ignoring the rest. In this episode, Stephen and Andrew break down how to map out your unique investing edge, overcome the psychological trap of FOMO, and use the "Scuttlebutt" method to safely expand your knowledge without incinerating your capital. What You Will Learn The Ted Williams Rule: Why batting .406 in the stock market requires you to map out your exact "grid squares" of knowledge and let the Wall Street meatballs go by. The Hubris Trap: How deep industry knowledge can trick smart professionals (like surgeons or engineers) into making arrogant, portfolio-killing mistakes. Philip Fisher’s "Scuttlebutt" Method: How to investigate a company's true moat by interrogating its competitors, suppliers, and customers. The Anatomy of FOMO: Why missing out on a cultural trend (like GameStop or SpaceX) is mathematically safer than playing a game you don’t understand. How to Safely Expand Your Edge: Why studying a gas station (Casey's) naturally leads you to evaluate the pizza industry (Domino's)—and how adjacency safely builds your circle. Timestamps 00:01:57 — Defining the "Circle of Competence" and why stock picking requires qualitative focus. 00:08:50 — Thomas J. Watson Sr. and why staying "smart in spots" beats being a jack-of-all-trades. 00:11:31 — The spice trade, McCormick, and why mature industries eventually stagnate. 00:14:25 — The Hubris Trap: Why industry experts often make the most arrogant investing mistakes. 00:20:42 — Philip Fisher’s "Scuttlebutt" method for investigating competitive advantages. 00:24:01 — FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) and the Ted Williams strike zone methodology. 00:30:20 — The struggle of saying "no" to good companies and establishing 24-hour cooling-off rules. 00:41:06 — How to map your Circle of Competence using the "Three Rings" visual framework. 00:46:40 — Safely expanding your circle through industry adjacencies. Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing The Perfect Jean makes insanely comfortable, great-fitting jeans you can wear all day—check them out at theperfectjean.nyc. Function Health helps you get ahead of your health with comprehensive lab testing and clear, actionable insights—learn more at functionhealth.com. Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thu, 24 Sep 2026 - 1050 - AAR68 - Correcting for Financial Mistakes
Nobody is perfect, and that applies to your budget, too. In this episode of At Any Rate, Evan and Andrew open up about their recent financial slip-ups—from overspending on dining out to completely forgetting about annual expenses like car insurance and birthdays. Instead of dwelling on the guilt of busting a budget, the guys break down how to properly correct these mistakes without entering a toxic cycle of financial restriction. Plus, they share their favorite everyday "hacks" to save cash and catch up, including the hidden markup trap of food delivery apps, using simple cashback setups, and the psychological trick of over-budgeting. What You Will Learn Couples Finance: How to manage joint finances and split bills proportionally without acting as your partner's financial "nanny." The Catch-Up Trap: Why trying to aggressively cut spending after a minor budget mistake can actually trigger a toxic binge-spending cycle. The Delivery App Illusion: The massive hidden food markups on Uber Eats and Grubhub, and why ordering ahead on native apps saves you thousands a year. Passive Sinking Funds: How to use basic store credit cards (like Target or Amazon) to generate guilt-free spending money without complex travel hacking. Over-Budgeting: The psychological benefit of overestimating variable expenses like gas to create a built-in end-of-month reward. The 3-to-6 Month Rule: A simple framework to determine if you should cut back to pay for a mistake, or if you need to pull from emergency savings. Timestamps 02:51 – Main Episode Start: Bouncing Back from Financial Mistakes 05:00 – Evan’s Mistake: Overspending on dining out & adjusting the budget 08:39 – Couples Finance: How to handle joint budgets with separate accounts 16:08 – Andrew’s Mistake: Forgetting annual expenses (holidays & car insurance) 21:54 – Why trying to "catch up" on a busted budget creates a toxic money cycle 26:50 – Hack 1: The Uber Eats & Grubhub hidden markup trap 32:23 – Hack 2: Using simple cashback credit cards as a passive sinking fund 39:00 – Hack 3: Over-budgeting variable expenses for end-of-month rewards 40:40 – Hack 4: Replacing expensive habits with free, healthy challenges 43:30 – The 3-to-6 Month Rule: Knowing when to cut back vs. when to use savings Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Free monthly budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/ Email Evan: evan@einvestingforbeginners.com Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, financial freedom is built one smart move at a time. Keep it simple, keep it steady, and at any rate, we’ll see you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFBpodcast Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tue, 22 Sep 2026 - 1049 - What Is a Holding Company, And Should You Invest in One?
You might think buying shares of Google means you are investing in a search engine, but you are actually buying into a decentralized corporate shell designed to isolate risk and absorb massive losses. While operating companies like Apple focus on core products, empires like Alphabet and Berkshire Hathaway use corporate structure as a financial weapon. In this episode, Stephen and Andrew look under the hood of the holding company model to determine if decentralization is the ultimate margin of safety, or a fast track to inefficient "di-worsification." What You Will Learn The Alphabet Illusion: Why buying Google actually means investing in a decentralized risk-management engine. Ring-Fencing Failure: How holding companies legally isolate bankrupt subsidiaries—and the debt loophole that still managed to destroy Silicon Valley Bank. The Meta Money Pit: How giant holding companies use massive subsidiary losses (like Reality Labs or Waymo) as a structural tax advantage to offset core profits. Divestitures vs. IPOs: Why spinning off a subsidiary like Mobileye rewards parent companies differently than giving direct shares to investors. The Conglomerate Discount: Why Wall Street historically punishes bloated empires, and why General Electric (GE) had to unbundle its businesses to survive. Timestamps 00:01:46 — Defining the Holding Company: Alphabet and Berkshire vs. Apple and Uber. 00:03:55 — The Coca-Cola anomaly: Why an independent bottler historically outperformed the iconic parent brand. 00:06:40 — Centralization vs. Decentralization: Why holding company CEOs let subsidiaries operate autonomously. 00:08:50 — Ring-fencing risk: What actually happens to the parent stock if a subsidiary goes bankrupt? 00:12:44 — The Tax Shield: How Alphabet absorbs Waymo's operating losses to offset Google's massive profits. 00:14:48 — The Cash Flow Vacuum: How parent companies extract money from their subsidiaries. 00:19:28 — Offloading assets: The critical mechanical difference between an IPO (Mobileye) and a Divestiture (Danaher). 00:25:33 — The 1970s Conglomerate Boom, "di-worsification," and GE's forced unbundling. 00:28:07 — Evaluating Meta's Reality Labs: Is it a calculated tax shield or a structural cancer? 00:32:30 — Bonus lesson: What is "Circle Financing" and why Jensen Huang's recent NVIDIA investments don't fit the definition. Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing The Perfect Jean makes insanely comfortable, great-fitting jeans you can wear all day—check them out at theperfectjean.nyc. Function Health helps you get ahead of your health with comprehensive lab testing and clear, actionable insights—learn more at functionhealth.com. Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mon, 21 Sep 2026 - 1048 - Path to Confidence: The 3-Step Safety Net Every Investor Needs
Beginner investors want to skip straight to the exciting part—picking stocks, chasing crypto gains, and dreaming of 100% returns. But diving into the market without a rock-solid financial foundation underneath you is a guaranteed recipe for panic-selling at the worst possible moment. In Part 2 of the "Path to Confidence" series, Andrew Sather sits down with Evan Raidt (At Any Rate) to break down why liquidity risk destroys unhedged portfolios, how to automate your cash flow to eliminate willpower, and why finding the financial "middle ground" beats both extreme austerity and YOLO reckless spending. What You Will Learn The Hidden Risk of Liquidity Lockup: Why investing money you might need in the short term forces you to liquidate assets at a loss during emergency market dips. The Honest Budget Reality Check: How categorizing expenses into strict Needs, Wants, and Savings (plus-or-minus $100) exposes silent cash drains before you buy a single share. Removing Willpower via Automation: Why setting up recurring transfers into S&P 500 index funds ($VOO$) and high-yield savings accounts guarantees compounding progress without daily discipline. The 3-to-4 Month Catch-Up Rule: How to handle unexpected financial setbacks without blowing up your long-term investment strategy or falling into a burnout-inducing lifestyle change. Escaping the Social Media Extremes: Why sustainable wealth creation happens in the middle ground between rinky-dink frugality and reckless lifestyle inflation. Timestamps 00:01:23 — Why Financial Foundations Come First: Understanding liquidity risk and investment lockup 00:04:12 — The Mentorship Effect: How watching realistic financial progress beats hype-driven advice 00:09:10 — Step 1: The Honest Budget: Setting up Needs, Wants, and Savings without perfectionism 00:13:48 — Needs vs. Wants in Practice: Drawing the line between necessities (rent, childcare) and discretionary spends 00:20:47 — Overcoming the Getting-Started Speedbump: Shifting focus from short-term friction to long-term freedom 00:27:38 — Automating Your Wealth: Eliminating willpower by auto-depositing into savings and index funds ($VOO$) 00:32:42 — Why S&P 500 Indexing Works: Long-term historical resilience vs. short-term market noise 00:35:50 — Navigating Setbacks: Emergency funds, managing cash flow drains, and the 3-4 month catch-up window 00:46:40 — The Financial Middle Ground: Why steady compounding beats extreme FIRE frugality and YOLO spending Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing The Perfect Jean makes insanely comfortable, great-fitting jeans you can wear all day—check them out at theperfectjean.nyc. Function Health helps you get ahead of your health with comprehensive lab testing and clear, actionable insights—learn more at functionhealth.com. Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thu, 17 Sep 2026 - 1047 - AAR67 - Our Ratio Rulebook - Solid Financial Starting Points
Are you spending too much on your car? Is your rent making you "house poor"? In this episode of At Any Rate, Evan and Andrew ditch the vague financial advice and dive into the exact ratios and percentages you should be aiming for to secure your financial future. From breaking down the classic 50/30/20 budgeting rule (and why it must be calculated on your net income) to establishing hard limits for vehicle expenses, housing costs, and "fun money," the guys provide a blueprint for evaluating your spending. Plus, they explore how to handle windfalls and the right way to size "risky" investments in your portfolio. What You Will Learn The 50/30/20 Rule: How to properly categorize your needs, wants, and savings without feeling restricted. The 15% Vehicle Limit: Why you must include gas, insurance, and maintenance when calculating your car affordability. The 30% Housing Limit: The financial superpower of buying a "starter home" instead of stretching for a dream home immediately. Net vs. Gross Savings: Why you shouldn't include your employer 401(k) match when calculating your personal 20% savings rate. The 50/50 Windfall Rule: A guilt-free system for splitting bonuses and tax refunds between treating yourself and building wealth. Portfolio Risk Management: Why it's okay to own highly volatile stocks—as long as you size them correctly. Timestamps 02:04 – Andrew’s favorite investing metric: Calculating Expected Returns 05:42 – The 50/30/20 Budgeting Rule: Needs, Wants, and Savings 07:32 – What to do if your "Needs" exceed 50% of your income 11:18 – The 15% Rule for Vehicle Expenses (Including gas and insurance) 19:20 – Housing Ratios (30%) & The compounding power of starter homes 28:15 – Credit Card Debt Ratio: Why the only acceptable target is 0% 31:08 – Retirement Savings: How much of your savings bucket should be locked away? 38:23 – Calculating your savings rate on Net vs. Gross income 40:07 – Portfolio Risk: Defining "risky" investments and sizing them correctly 48:26 – The 50/50 Windfall Rule: How to handle bonuses and tax refunds without guilt Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Free monthly budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/ Email Evan: evan@einvestingforbeginners.com Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, financial freedom is built one smart move at a time. Keep it simple, keep it steady, and at any rate, we’ll see you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFBpodcast Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tue, 15 Sep 2026 - 1046 - Ian Cassel’s Rules for Profitable Small-Cap Investing
Most retail investors assume the biggest market gains belong to high-flying mega-cap tech stocks, but historical data reveals a completely different reality: 87% of all 10x stocks over the past decade started as microcaps. However, blindly chasing small-company story stocks is the fastest way to incinerate capital. In this episode, Andrew Sather sits down with microcap veteran and author Ian Cassel (Stock Picker, Intelligent Fanatics) to uncover how retail investors can exploit institutional blind spots, evaluate management as a primary moat, and execute disciplined exit strategies in microcap equities. What You Will Learn The 18% Profitability Filter: Why 82% of microcap stocks are unprofitable traps—and how focusing on the profitable minority eliminates 95% of blow-up risk. Management as the Moat: Why traditional competitive moats don't exist in $50M companies, making repeated winning CEOs and skin-in-the-game teams the ultimate catalyst. The Illiquidity Premium: How institutional size constraints create a structural advantage for retail investors trading illiquid $10k/day volume stocks. Why You Can't "Coffee Can" Microcaps: Why the average winning microcap trade lasts 16–18 months and requires active maintenance due diligence rather than passive buy-and-hold. The 49% Hit Rate Reality: What Lee Freeman-Shore’s study of top hedge fund managers proves about stock-picking accuracy vs. execution and position sizing. Timestamps 00:01:00 — Introduction: Welcoming Ian Cassel, author of Stock Picker and founder of Microcap Club 00:02:26 — Investor Life Cycles: How early wins, losses, and environment shape risk temperament 00:05:16 — The $20k to $120k to $8k Rollercoaster: Ian’s dot-com boom and bust during high school and college 00:11:00 — Story Stocks vs. Fundamentals: Why starting with narrative stocks creates high risk tolerance 00:12:35 — The XM Satellite Radio Case Study: How a $1.78 microcap turnaround generated a 10x recovery 00:18:38 — Management is the Moat: Evaluating repeated winners, capital allocators, and pedigreed teams 00:25:15 — Why Quality Small Businesses Go Public: Valuations, capital efficiency, and global microcap markets 00:30:25 — The Reality of Microcap Holding Periods: Why short shelf-lives demand active selling discipline 00:33:25 — Developing the "Spidey Sense": Recognizing management body language and thesis decay 00:40:00 — The Illiquidity Premium Data: Roger Ibbotson’s Yale study on microcap outperformance 00:48:25 — The Art of Execution: Why top investors win with a 49% hit rate through position sizing Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing The Perfect Jean makes insanely comfortable, great-fitting jeans you can wear all day—check them out at theperfectjean.nyc. Function Health helps you get ahead of your health with comprehensive lab testing and clear, actionable insights—learn more at functionhealth.com. Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mon, 14 Sep 2026 - 1045 - Path to Confidence: Stop Chasing the Market and Pick Your Lane
In Part 1 of the "Path to Confidence" series, Stephen Morris and Andrew Sather tackle a critical lesson for beginner investors: you must know what game you are playing to avoid gambling away your money. The hosts break down key investor archetypes—from hands-off 401(k) "set-it-and-forget-it" investors to broad-market index/ETF purists—exploring the pros, cons, and tax strategies behind each path. Moving beyond passive strategies, Stephen and Andrew analyze the realities of physical real estate versus REITs, alongside the mental grit required to succeed as an individual stock picker. The episode wraps up with a concrete action step: identify your investor archetype, write it down, and use it to confidently filter out any financial media noise that doesn't fit your personal game plan. What You Will Learn How to identify your specific investor archetype so you stop playing the wrong financial game and focus on your strengths. The key pros, cons, and tax strategies of 401(k)s, Roth IRAs, and low-cost index ETFs. The truth about real estate investing, comparing the heavy debt and hands-on labor of physical property to the passive simplicity of REITs. The mental grit required for stock picking, and why long-term fundamental investing beats high-stress day trading every time. A simple, 1-step action item to filter out distracting financial media noise and stay completely confident in your strategy. Timestamps 02:15 – Introducing the "Path to Confidence" Series 03:30 – Archetype 1: The 401(k) "Set It & Forget It" Investor 04:30 – Pros & Cons of Employer-Sponsored 401(k) Plans 07:15 – Strategy Breakdown: 401(k) Match vs. Roth IRA 09:20 – Archetype 2: The Index Fund & ETF Purist 11:20 – Why ETFs Are the Safest Learning Ground for Beginners 12:55 – Archetype 3: Real Estate (Is Your Primary Home an Investment?) 15:10 – The Reality of Physical Real Estate: Leverage, Labor & Debt Risks 19:37 – REITs: The Truly Passive Alternative to Property Management 29:13 – Archetype 4: The Stock Picker Mindset & Mental Toughness 49:50 – Archetype 5: Trader vs. Investor (Day Trading Risks vs. Compounding) 58:10 – The Action Step: Your Sticky Note Assignment & Filtering Media Noise Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing The Perfect Jean makes insanely comfortable, great-fitting jeans you can wear all day—check them out at theperfectjean.nyc. Function Health helps you get ahead of your health with comprehensive lab testing and clear, actionable insights—learn more at functionhealth.com. Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thu, 10 Sep 2026 - 1044 - AAR66 - Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
In this special game-show episode of At Any Rate, Evan puts Andrew in the hot seat for a 15-question financial trivia challenge. From guessing 2026 401(k) contribution limits and average new car prices to exposing credit card score myths and gym membership waste, the guys test how well real-world finance metrics match consumer intuition. Whether you're playing along in the car or looking to sanity-check your own budget, this episode combines surprising macroeconomic statistics with practical behavioral advice on managing debt, bonuses, and grocery budgets. What You Will Learn U.S. Credit Score Reality: Why the average American credit score (740) is significantly higher than most consumers assume. Bear Market Horizons: Why the average bear market lasts only 9.6 months and how "recency bias" tricks investors into staying on the sidelines. Credit Card Debt Myths: Why 48% of Americans carry a monthly balance—and why carrying debt does not improve your credit score. The Cost of Driving: How new car prices ($49,000) have pushed average loan terms to a staggering 69 months. The 60/40 Bonus Rule: How to enjoy workplace bonuses without blowing your long-term savings goals. Stock Market Non-Participation: Why 38% of Americans hold zero stock investments and how to overcome financial paralysis. Timestamps 0:00 – Game Show Intro & Rules: Who Wants to Be a Financial Millionaire? 3:42 – Tier 1: Average Credit Scores & 401(k) Contribution Limits ($24,500) 8:27 – New Car Price Realities ($49,000) & Average Credit Card Debt ($7,000) 12:55 – Bear Market Historical Length (9.6 Months) vs. Recency Bias 17:35 – Housing Market Leverage: Total Real Estate Value vs. U.S. GDP (4x) 19:11 – Tier 2: Emergency Savings Deficits (30% with $0 in Savings) 27:32 – Gym Membership Waste (67% Unused) & Wedding Costs ($34,200) 31:32 – Credit Card Myths: Why Carrying a Balance Does NOT Improve Credit 34:42 – Tier 3: New Car Loan Terms (69 Months) & Median U.S. Bonuses ($1,700) 40:47 – How to Manage Bonuses: The 60/40 Spending & Savings Rule 43:00 – Monthly Gas Costs ($200) vs. EV Charging Efficiency ($45/mo) 44:35 – Average Grocery Bills ($400/mo) & Luxury Grocery Markups 46:37 – Moneyball Question: Stock Market Non-Participation (38%) & Crypto/Gambling Traps 51:47 – Overcoming Financial Hopelessness: Building Habits & Incremental Progress 55:35 – Final Score Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Free monthly budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/ Email Evan: evan@einvestingforbeginners.com Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, financial freedom is built one smart move at a time. Keep it simple, keep it steady, and at any rate, we’ll see you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFBpodcast Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tue, 08 Sep 2026 - 1043 - The First Metric Every Investor Must Check Before Buying
When analyzing a stock for the first time, retail investors often get blinded by stock price charts, flashy marketing, or news headlines. But if you want to know whether a business is actually compounding value, you have to look at the top line: Revenue Growth. In this episode, Stephen and Andrew break down the fundamental starting point for analyzing any stock, why top-line growth drives long-term earnings per share (EPS), and how to use base rates to spot unrealistic hypergrowth traps before they wreck your portfolio. What You Will Learn The Revenue-to-Price Pipeline: Why McKinsey and Peter Lynch studies prove that revenue growth is the ultimate driver of long-term stock returns. EPS vs. Stock Price: Why a $20 stock can actually be significantly more expensive than a $500 stock. The Limit of Cost Cutting: Why companies cannot cost-cut their way to compounding returns—and why profit margins hit a hard ceiling. The Skewed Data Trap: How single-year anomalies, cyclical spikes, and M&A activity ruin 3- and 5-year screener averages. The 4%–6% Base Rate Baseline: Michael Mauboussin’s research on real-world corporate growth rates and why expecting 20%+ annual growth forever is a mathematical delusion. Timestamps 00:00:00 — The Fundamental Starting Point: Why top-line revenue growth is step #1 for stock analysis 00:00:45 — EPS vs. Stock Price: Dissecting valuation so you don't confuse share price with company value 00:04:47 — Revenue Growth vs. Cost Cutting: The mathematical limit of profit margins 00:07:50 — Percentages Over Headline Dollars: Evaluating small caps vs. mega-caps objectively 00:09:32 — The Skewed Data Trap: How one-time events and M&A distort multi-year growth metrics 00:11:57 — Michael Mauboussin Base Rates: Why 4%–6% revenue growth is the true economic baseline 00:14:52 — Valuation Meets Growth: P/E ratios as "duct tape" and revenue growth as "WD-40" 00:20:17 — The Hypergrowth Trap: Why 30%+ annual growth almost always reverts to the mean 00:25:17 — The 7%–15% Sweet Spot: Identifying sustainable compounders without taking extreme risk 00:29:57 — Value Re-Rating & Dividends: How mature businesses like Coca-Cola compound wealth quietly 00:36:42 — Practical Stock Screening: How to set up multiple screens to catch ideas without falling for traps Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing The Perfect Jean makes insanely comfortable, great-fitting jeans you can wear all day—check them out at theperfectjean.nyc. Function Health helps you get ahead of your health with comprehensive lab testing and clear, actionable insights—learn more at functionhealth.com. Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mon, 07 Sep 2026 - 1042 - Is NVIDIA’s High-Margin Machine Sustainable?
NVIDIA is currently pulling off something unprecedented in financial history: posting startup-like revenue growth (+126% in 2024 and +114% in 2025) while sitting at a massive $4 trillion valuation. Mainstream media treats this hyper-growth as an unstoppable tech miracle, but history shows that every infrastructure CapEx boom eventually faces physical and economic boundaries. In this episode, Stephen and Andrew look under NVIDIA's hood to examine whether its fabless business model and CUDA software lock-in justify its valuation, or if Big Tech is caught in a classic, 19th-century-style CapEx bubble. What You Will Learn The Fabless Margin Advantage: How NVIDIA commands software-like profit margins by outsourcing heavy semiconductor manufacturing to TSMC. The 1873 Railroad Parallel: What the 19th-century infrastructure boom teaches us about today's $800 billion Big Tech AI CapEx race. CUDA’s Unbreakable Moat: How proprietary software ecosystem lock-in keeps hyperscalers dependent on NVIDIA GPUs instead of switching to AMD. The Memory Oligopoly Bottleneck: How Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron squeeze hardware buyers and drive up data center costs across the tech sector. Broadcom vs. Qualcomm: Why two similar chipmakers diverged by 10x in market cap over a decade, and what it reveals about semiconductor stock picking. Timestamps 00:00:00 — NVIDIA’s Startup Growth at Scale: Auditing +126% revenue growth on a $4T valuation 00:02:12 — Forward P/E vs. Trailing P/E: What Wall Street is pricing into NVIDIA’s next 4 quarters 00:05:42 — CPU vs. GPU Revolution: How parallel computing allowed NVIDIA to dethrone Intel 00:08:06 — The Fabless Model: Why chip design yields software-like margins without factory overhead 00:12:32 — The Zero-Marginal-Cost Trap: Anthropic and OpenAI’s explosive revenue run-rates 00:14:12 — The Memory Oligopoly: How Micron, SK Hynix, and Samsung exercise extreme pricing power 00:15:54 — Single Points of Failure: NVIDIA’s total supply-chain reliance on TSMC and ASML 00:19:20 — Historical CapEx Cycles: Comparing today's Big Tech AI spend to the 1873 Railroad Bubble 00:25:40 — AI ROI Reality Check: Agentic coding, enterprise adoption, and "AI slop" quality risks 00:41:06 — Analyzing NVIDIA as a Beginner: Untempered enthusiasm vs. demanding a margin of safety 00:44:50 — Broadcom vs. Qualcomm: How two semiconductor peers diverged by 10x in ten years Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing The Perfect Jean makes insanely comfortable, great-fitting jeans you can wear all day—check them out at theperfectjean.nyc. Function Health helps you get ahead of your health with comprehensive lab testing and clear, actionable insights—learn more at functionhealth.com. Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thu, 03 Sep 2026 - 1041 - AAR65 - Where Are People Wasting Money?
Are you accidentally throwing money down the drain without realizing it? In this episode of At Any Rate, Evan and Andrew break down five sneaky financial missteps that cause people to waste cash—from point-of-sale financing traps to unneeded consumer upgrades and stagnant checking accounts. Instead of shaming bad spending habits, the guys share honest personal realizations (including Evan’s eye-opening look at phone installment plans) and provide simple, actionable systems like sinking funds and "output-based purchasing" to keep your finances on track without sacrificing the things you love. What You Will Learn The Buy Now, Pay Later Trap: Why financing small purchases like concert tickets, couches, and plane tickets wrecks your long-term cash flow. Sinking Funds vs. Debt: How setting aside dedicated cash pools lets you spend guilt-free on furniture, trips, and holidays. Misstep 2: Unneeded Upgrades: How to evaluate upgrades using "output-based purchasing" to stop overspending on new iPhones, flights, and car packages. Stagnant Cash Loss: The true opportunity cost of keeping your emergency fund in a default checking account versus a High-Yield Savings Account (HYSA). Thoughtful Gifting vs. Overspending: How to express care without going into debt on holiday gifts or expensive jewelry. Hobby Management: Why stepping up through entry-level equipment (from coffee grinders to guitars) brings more joy and value than buying top-of-the-line gear upfront. Timestamps 0:00 – Identifying Silent Wealth Killers 1:52 – Misstep 1: Financing Small Purchases (BNPL, Concerts & Couches) 5:29 – Using Sinking Funds to Stop Debt Spirals 8:49 – Misstep 2: Upgrades You Don't Need (iPhones, Flights & Car Packages) 13:24 – Output-Based Purchasing: How to Justify Lifestyle Upgrades 21:19 – Misstep 3: Piling Cash in Stagnant Accounts 25:54 – The Power of HYSAs for Down Payments & Emergency Cash 28:27 – Misstep 4: Overspending on Gifts (Thoughtfulness vs. Price Tags) 33:03 – Handling Budget Mistakes & Planning for Holiday Spending 37:59 – Misstep 5: The Expense of Hobbies (Guitars, PCs, and $3,500 Coffee Setups) 48:34 – The Coffee Grinder Lesson: Why You Shouldn't Buy Top-of-the-Line Immediately Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Free monthly budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/ Email Evan: evan@einvestingforbeginners.com Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, financial freedom is built one smart move at a time. Keep it simple, keep it steady, and at any rate, we’ll see you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tue, 01 Sep 2026 - 1040 - How to Get 9% Returns with Half the Market Volatility
Mainstream financial media tells investors that the only way to build long-term wealth is to throw 100% of their money into index funds and hold on for dear life. But when the market crashes and portfolios get cut in half, human psychology kicks in, and retail investors almost always panic-sell at the exact wrong time. In this episode, Stephen sits down with contrarian market veteran Jared Dillian to dissect the psychological flaws of traditional indexing and break down the "Awesome Portfolio"—a stress-free, 5-asset allocation strategy designed to deliver near-market returns with a fraction of the drawdowns. What You Will Learn The Indexing Trap: Why holding an S&P 500 index fund exposes your entire net worth to crippling 50% drawdowns (and why most humans can't handle it). The Finnish IQ Study: How military data from Finland proves that "smarter" investors outperform the market simply through disciplined market timing and risk control. The "Giffen Good" Paradox: Why investors irrationally hate cheap assets (like 5% yielding bonds) but blindly pile into expensive, over-hyped tech stocks. The 20% Cash Rule: Why holding cash isn't just a safety net—it’s ultimate liquidity for buying distressed assets and capitalizing on rare life opportunities. Why Crypto Kills Compounding: Why keeping volatile assets like Bitcoin out of your core portfolio protects your Sharpe ratio and prevents emotional checking. Timestamps 00:01:21 The evolution of market mechanics: From trading fractions on the open-outcry floor to AI algorithms. 00:03:50 Comparing the current AI boom to the 2000 Dot-com bubble (and why today's tech stocks are fundamentally different). 00:04:49 The Bond Market Disconnect: Why investors are ignoring risk-free 5% yields. 00:10:24 The Finnish IQ Study: What administrative data teaches us about market timing and cognitive discipline. 00:12:18 Jared’s Lehman Brothers backstory and surviving a 50% net-worth wipeout in 2008. 00:14:40 Deconstructing the "Awesome Portfolio": VTI, BND, IAU, TBIL, and VNQ. 00:16:34 Why Bitcoin and cryptocurrency are excluded to preserve portfolio peace of mind. 00:19:32 The 3 reasons you must hold cash: Volatility smoothing, 5% yields, and pure optionality. 00:24:15 Breaking the Boglehead Orthodoxy: Why the "all-stocks, all the time" strategy is a behavioral trap. 00:32:08 Debunking extreme personal finance: Why The Millionaire Next Door and Rich Dad Poor Dad give dangerous advice. Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing The Perfect Jean makes insanely comfortable, great-fitting jeans you can wear all day—check them out at theperfectjean.nyc. Function Health helps you get ahead of your health with comprehensive lab testing and clear, actionable insights—learn more at functionhealth.com. Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mon, 31 Aug 2026 - 1039 - Dissecting Capital One, Netflix, and Wall Street's Favorite Metrics
It’s tempting to fire up a stock screener, sort by top-line revenue growth, and assume you’ve just uncovered a goldmine of breakout stocks. But when a legacy credit card company suddenly posts triple-digit growth, it’s rarely an economic miracle—it’s an accounting illusion. In this episode, we run a live revenue breakout screen to show exactly how Wall Street numbers lie, why corporate acquisitions distort financial data, and how to protect your capital from manufactured hype. What You Will Learn Why record revenue is a trap: How Capital One’s sudden 102% growth rate exposes the danger of using unadjusted, raw stock screeners. The M&A growth illusion: Why buying a competitor (like the Discover acquisition) temporarily breaks year-over-year financial comparisons and tricks retail investors. The Forward P/E warning sign: Why Netflix looks cheap based on past earnings but expensive when you factor in Wall Street's expectation of shrinking margins. The "Dictator CEO" red flag: How to use proxy statements to spot concentrated voting power and shareholder lawsuits, using AppLovin as the prime example. Ignoring the macro noise: Why trying to time market tops using bank stocks (Morgan Stanley, BlackRock) is a losing game for long-term investors. Timestamps 00:01:59 The Revenue Breakout Screen: Filtering for 1-year growth beating 3- and 5-year averages 00:05:08 The Capital One (COF) Illusion: Why a 102% growth rate isn't what it seems 00:08:15 Bank Stocks and Macro Narratives: Can we predict the economy using Citigroup or Bank of America? 00:18:40 Unpacking Capital One’s acquisition of Discover and how buyouts skew financial metrics 00:24:42 The AppLovin (APP) dilemma: High growth vs. extreme executive control and shareholder lawsuits 00:35:35 Netflix (NFLX) and Valuation: Using Forward P/E to predict shrinking profit margins 00:37:00 Founder Departures: Why a CEO stepping down isn't always a reason to panic 00:43:00 Morgan Stanley & BlackRock: Do booming investment banks signal a market top? 00:48:10 Tuning out the media: Why long-term investors must ignore macroeconomic fear-mongering Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing The Perfect Jean makes insanely comfortable, great-fitting jeans you can wear all day—check them out at theperfectjean.nyc. Function Health helps you get ahead of your health with comprehensive lab testing and clear, actionable insights—learn more at functionhealth.com. Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thu, 27 Aug 2026 - 1038 - AAR64 - The Personal Finance Time Machine
What advice would you give your 22-year-old self if you found a DeLorean in your driveway? In this episode of At Any Rate, Evan and Andrew look back at their early 20s to unpack what actually matters when transitioning from school into the real world. From managing the overwhelming urge to hit every financial milestone at once, to unlocking the true power of compound interest and dismantling the exhausting trend of "over-optimizing" every area of life, the guys share honest reflections on money, career expectations, and building habits that actually last. What You Will Learn Overcoming Milestone Anxiety: Why rushing to buy a house, pay off all debt, and max out accounts simultaneously leads to early burnout. The "Sunday Reset" & Habit Design: How intentionally setting smaller, manageable goals builds long-term consistency over short-term intensity. Demystifying Stock Market Hype: Why building wealth doesn't require a master's degree in math or chasing viral social media trends. The Power of Compound Interest: Why visual charts and compound calculators are the ultimate tools for early-20s financial motivation. Reframing Retirement: How investing in a Roth IRA or 401(k) at age 22 builds the exact mindset required to generate active wealth. Un-Optimizing Life: Why constant social media optimization ruins the enjoyment of fitness, hobbies, and personal finance. Timestamps 0:00 – Advice to Our 22-Year-Old Selves 4:38 – Personal Finance: Overcoming Early-20s Impatience & The Milestones Trap 11:32 – Managing Burnout: The Sunday Reset & Setting Realistic Financial "Whys" 18:53 – Investing: Demystifying Stock Picking & Visualizing Compound Growth 22:15 – Core Reading List: The Millionaire Next Door, Psychology of Money, Atomic Habits 29:15 – Retirement: Reframing 401(k)s, Roth IRAs & Funding Your "Future Self" 35:48 – Habit Consistency: Using a "Margin of Safety" to Prevent Burnout 40:37 – Career: Managing Salary Expectations & The Compounding Value of Work Ethic 45:44 – What We Wouldn't Listen To: Over-Optimization Fatigue & "Eating Humble Pie" Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Free monthly budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/ Email Evan: evan@einvestingforbeginners.com Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, financial freedom is built one smart move at a time. Keep it simple, keep it steady, and at any rate, we’ll see you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tue, 25 Aug 2026 - 1037 - AI, Space, and Defense: Separating Hype from True Moats
Wall Street loves a good sci-fi narrative. Between artificial intelligence, private space exploration, and next-generation defense tech, it is incredibly easy to get swept up in the stories these companies sell. But stories don’t pay dividends, and media hype doesn't fund capital expenditures. In this episode, Andrew and Stephen put the market's most futuristic sectors to the test, tier-ranking individual stocks based on fundamental safety, capital efficiency, and realistic valuations rather than promises of a utopian future. What You Will Learn The AI "Too Hard" Pile: Why highly anticipated IPOs like OpenAI and Anthropic are currently uninvestable traps for value seekers. The $1.4 Trillion SpaceX Dilemma: Why possessing an absolute monopoly in space still doesn't justify a blind, hype-driven IPO purchase. Why General Dynamics dominates the battlefield: The hidden technological innovations (like multi-tier targeting and anti-friendly-fire HUDs) that cement GD as a government necessity. The Danger of Private Military Contractors (PMCs): Why Palantir (PLTR) was completely disqualified from the defense contractor rankings. The ROIC Defense Test: Why Lockheed Martin’s pure capital efficiency completely outclasses acquisition-heavy competitors like RTX and L3Harris. Timestamps 00:00:00 Tier ranking the market's most hyped sectors 00:05:01 AI Rankings: Semiconductors vs. Hyperscalers (TSMC, ASML, Big Tech) 00:15:24 The Google Debate: Why GOOGL offers the ultimate margin of safety in AI 00:24:48 The Billionaire's Secret: Saying "no" to hype and avoiding IPO traps 00:33:41 The Space Sector: Why defense giants offer a safer route than pure-play space stocks 00:38:15 SpaceX's Moat: Evaluating Elon Musk's ambitious $100B revenue run-rate goal 00:47:20 Defense Sector Rankings: Disqualifying Palantir and putting Boeing in the "too hard" pile 00:54:20 Capital Efficiency: Breaking down ROIC across the major defense contractors 00:58:05 Final Rankings: General Dynamics vs. Northrop Grumman vs. Lockheed Martin Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing The Perfect Jean makes insanely comfortable, great-fitting jeans you can wear all day—check them out at theperfectjean.nyc. Function Health helps you get ahead of your health with comprehensive lab testing and clear, actionable insights—learn more at functionhealth.com. Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mon, 24 Aug 2026 - 1036 - The Psychology of Position Sizing
Every investor lives with two competing internal voices: the hyper-optimist who wants to go all-in on an exciting growth story, and the hyper-skeptic who gets paralyzed by uncertainty or cut positions at the first sign of discomfort. Managing these emotional extremes isn't just about discipline—it requires a practical, repeatable framework to audit your portfolio without letting fear or greed make the call. In this episode, Stephen and Andrew break down how to take your emotional temperature, navigate the trap of portfolio indifference, and build systematic guardrails before market volatility makes the decision for you. What You Will Learn The "24-Hour Rule" for new ideas: Why forcing a mandatory cooling-off period stops shiny object syndrome from ruining your capital allocation. Fantasizing vs. Real-World Probability: How to spot the exact moment you start reverse-engineering excuses to sell proven winners for an unproven stock. The Danger of Portfolio Indifference: Why being completely emotionless can blind you to compounding multi-bagger potential (and make you cut winners too early). The "Coffee Can Portfolio" Paradox: How doing absolutely nothing frequently outperforms active portfolio management and market timing. Building a Proactive Monthly Audit: Why writing down a simple pros-and-cons framework eliminates reactive, panic-driven trades. Timestamps 00:00:00 Managing the two emotional extremes of investing: Over-hyped vs. Hesitant 00:05:36 The "24-Hour Rule": Stopping shiny object syndrome before buying 00:06:45 Recognizing internal red flags: Portfolio fantasizing and premature trimming 00:11:05 Managing stagnant holdings: The Crocs (CROX) & HeyDude acquisition case study 00:15:03 The power of inversion: Finding counter-arguments for stuck or flat positions 00:22:30 The "Coffee Can Portfolio" concept: Why inaction beats active churning 00:26:00 Building a proactive monthly audit checklist to eliminate reactive trades 00:29:40 The hidden risk of total indifference: How cold logic can cut a 100-bagger short 00:37:30 De-pumping hype: Filtering social media excitement vs. fundamental growth 00:40:35 The power of writing it down: Recording thesis notes to audit emotional decisions Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing The Perfect Jean makes insanely comfortable, great-fitting jeans you can wear all day—check them out at theperfectjean.nyc. Function Health helps you get ahead of your health with comprehensive lab testing and clear, actionable insights—learn more at functionhealth.com. Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thu, 20 Aug 2026 - 1035 - AAR63 - The Bottom Hits - What Most People Miss in Their Finances
We all know the "top hits" of personal finance, but what about the silent wealth killers? In this episode of At Any Rate, Evan and Andrew break down six common financial traps that are incredibly easy to fall into, regardless of your income. From the dangers of letting your budget rot and relying on sheer willpower, to the sneaky reality of lifestyle creep and the false economy of "buying cheap," the guys unpack the behavioral blind spots holding you back. Plus, Evan shares a recent auto-pay scare that proves why you can never fully take your eyes off your checking account. What You Will Learn Budget Stagnation: Why your internal "rule of thumb" for prices is probably lying to you due to inflation, and why you need to adjust your budget 1-2 times a year. The Stagnant Money Trap: Why keeping all your cash in a single checking account is not only costing you interest, but actively encouraging you to overspend. The 60/40 Raise Rule: A simple framework for enjoying a salary bump without falling victim to lifestyle creep. Beating Decision Fatigue: Why relying on financial willpower is a losing game, and how to automate your savings out of sight. The Sinking Fund Solution: How to use dedicated savings buckets (like SoFi Vaults) to cover unexpected credit card spikes without draining your checking account. Frugal vs. Frivolous: Why spending up for quality is often cheaper in the long run than buying bargain-bin items that break. Timestamps 0:00 – The Concept of "Bottom Hits" 3:23 – Trap 1: Not Adjusting Over Time (Why mental budgets fail against inflation) 10:04 – How Andrew manages shifting budgets as a self-employed business owner 12:59 – Trap 2: Keeping Money Stagnant in One Place (The checking account trap) 15:55 – Using HYSAs and "Vaults" to protect your money from yourself 21:43 – Trap 3: Not Paying Enough Attention (Evan's IRS auto-pay scare) 26:18 – How sinking funds can save you from credit card statement shock 32:44 – Trap 4: Earn More, Spend More (Combating Lifestyle Creep) 35:58 – Evan's 60/40 Rule for raises, bonuses, and found money 38:40 – Trap 5: Relying on Willpower (Decision fatigue and self-sabotage) 44:06 – The Cash Envelope System vs. Digital Automation 48:30 – Trap 6: Buying Cheap to Save Money (The false economy of cheap goods) Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Free monthly budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/ Email Evan: evan@einvestingforbeginners.com Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, financial freedom is built one smart move at a time. Keep it simple, keep it steady, and at any rate, we’ll see you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFBpodcast Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tue, 18 Aug 2026 - 1034 - The Earnings Illusion: How Working Capital Exposes Cash-Burning Companies
A company can post record net income on paper while silently draining its checking account to zero. Mainstream financial media fixates on Wall Street's favorite metric—Earnings Per Share (EPS)—but the true operational health of a business lies in its day-to-day cash flow engine. In this episode, Stephen and Andrew break down the mechanics of Changes in Working Capital to expose how inventory bloat, uncollected revenue, and stretched supplier payments can turn an apparent growth story into a dangerous value trap. What You Will Learn Why record earnings can be a lie: How accrual accounting allows cash-starved companies to look highly profitable on paper. The $10.5 billion OpenAI paper trail: What Microsoft’s explosive Accounts Receivable growth reveals about customer concentration and credit risk. Why Nike almost choked on its own success: How rapid sales expansion can trap millions in inventory and suffocate operating cash flow. The Chipotle cash hack: How industry giants turn Accounts Payable into interest-free growth capital. The 3-step Working Capital Checklist: How to instantly audit a company’s operational efficiency in under five minutes. Timestamps 00:00:00 Why net income lies and cash flow tells the truth 00:00:43 What is Working Capital? The 30,000-foot checking account analogy 00:03:18 Bucket 1: Accounts Receivable (AR) & customer default risks 00:04:31 Case Study: Microsoft vs. OpenAI ($4B to $10.5B AR explosion) 00:07:22 Case Study: Caterpillar (CAT) & multi-year project revenue recognition 00:11:52 Bucket 2: Inventory bloat & the Target / Walmart post-COVID crash 00:16:12 Understanding the "Breathe In, Breathe Out" working capital cycle 00:20:28 Bucket 3: Accounts Payable (AP) & Chipotle’s supplier power dynamics 00:24:57 Vendor financing: How market leaders get suppliers to fund their expansion 00:29:58 Case Study: Phil Knight’s Shoe Dog & how fast growth can bankrupt a brand 00:30:36 Hidden Gems: How McKesson and Costco generate negative working capital 00:35:12 Warning Signs: How to spot cash burn masked by aggressive growth stories 00:40:38 The 3-Step Investor Checklist: Normalizing Free Cash Flow over 3–10 years Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing The Perfect Jean makes insanely comfortable, great-fitting jeans you can wear all day—check them out at theperfectjean.nyc. Function Health helps you get ahead of your health with comprehensive lab testing and clear, actionable insights—learn more at functionhealth.com. Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mon, 17 Aug 2026 - 1033 - Accidental Indexing: Why Owning Too Many Stocks Destroys Returns
Most retail investors spend endless hours hunting for the next breakout stock, only to ruin their returns by spreading their capital across dozens of minor positions. Buying too many stocks creates an "accidental index fund," while placing tiny bets on multi-bagger winners renders those gains completely meaningless to your net worth. In this episode, Stephen and Andrew break down the mechanics of position sizing, the danger of chasing speculative moonshots early in your investing journey, and how to construct a focused 10-to-15 stock portfolio built for long-term wealth. What You Will Learn The Accidental Index Fund Trap: Why owning 30+ stocks silently dilutes your best stock-picking edge down to benchmark market returns. The Math Behind Position Sizing: How a 25-stock portfolio caps your portfolio's upside—even when one of your picks doubles. Risk-Aversion for Beginners: Why new investors with smaller portfolios should focus on conservative compounders before taking high-risk swings. Evaluating the "Patent Cliff": How analyzing business mechanics (like Zoetis' generic drug competition) reveals when to build or trim position sizes. Concentration vs. Over-Diversification: How structuring a core portfolio of 10 to 15 high-conviction holdings balances safety with life-changing outperformance. Timestamps 00:01:14 Introduction: The psychological trap of buying "just a few more shares" 00:02:40 The "Costco Regret": Why tiny position sizes make big winners inconsequential 00:06:00 Caterpillar (CAT) Case Study: Balancing conservative moats with innovation upside 00:11:50 Speculative Tech vs. Capital Preservation: The "Beta Technologies" case study 00:15:15 Why beginners should remain risk-averse until reaching critical portfolio scale 00:20:20 Portfolio Construction: Transitioning from lump-sum allocation to 10–15 core holdings 00:25:05 Managing bad news: How to handle temporary headlines vs. structural thesis breaks 00:28:45 The Math of Over-Diversification: Why 25+ stock portfolios cap your wealth creation 00:32:00 Zoetis (ZTS) Case Study: Navigating patent cliffs and loading up on quality dips Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing The Perfect Jean makes insanely comfortable, great-fitting jeans you can wear all day—check them out at theperfectjean.nyc. Function Health helps you get ahead of your health with comprehensive lab testing and clear, actionable insights—learn more at functionhealth.com. Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thu, 13 Aug 2026 - 1032 - AAR62 - Homeownership Progress Update
It has officially been one year since Evan and his wife purchased their first home at 27 years old. In this solo episode of At Any Rate, Evan takes a transparent look at how the finances, lifestyle changes, and hidden expenses have actually played out over the past 12 months. From navigating Florida's home insurance landscape and new-build tax perks to dealing with $2,200 shower door quotes and managing property tax reassessments, this episode breaks down what went according to plan, what came out cheaper than expected, and what unexpected mental loads every homeowner should prepare for. What You Will Learn The 55/45 Housing Rule: Why your fixed mortgage payment is only roughly half of your actual monthly housing outlay. The Unimproved Land Tax Perk: How buying a new build creates a temporary tax grace period—and how to use a High-Yield Savings Account (HYSA) to prepare for the reassessment lump sum. New Build vs. Existing Home Insurance: Why modern hurricane codes, double-pane windows, and attic insulation can save you thousands on annual insurance and utility bills. The 11-Month Warranty Inspection: The essential step every new-construction owner must take before their builder warranty expires. Managing Upgrade Price Volatility: How to budget for unpredictable contractor quotes, from lanai screening to garage floor epoxy. Avoiding the "House Poor" Trap: Why line-item spreadsheet budgeting is a mandatory tool for tracking variable overhead stack. Timestamps 0:00 – Year Homeownership Update 1:04 – Reflections on First-Time Homeownership at 27 & The Purpose of Building Wealth 3:29 – Location, Square Footage & The Lifestyle Value of Personal Space 7:52 – First-Year Home Upgrades: Lanai Screening, Epoxy Floors & EV Charger Setup 11:30 – The 11-Month Builder Warranty Inspection: Catching Issues Before Expiration 14:12 – The Purchasing Process & Working with Lenders vs. Sales Agents 17:56 – Mortgage Reality: Fixed Payments vs. Variable Monthly Expenses 19:28 – The "Unimproved Land" Tax Effect & Receiving an Escrow Refund 20:48 – Home Insurance in Florida: Code Upgrades, Wind Mitigation & Flood Insurance 24:29 – Energy & Utility Efficiency: double-pane Windows & Insulation Savings 25:45 – The Shift from Renting to Managing Multiple Expense Line Items 28:34 – Mental Load & Tracking Moving Parts to Avoid Becoming "House Poor" 32:04 – Home Upgrade Volatility: $2,200 Shower Doors vs. $1,200 Screened Lanais 33:44 – Emotional Overhead: Hurricane Preparedness & Lack of Historical Lot Data 37:04 – Florida Property Tax Reassessments: Homestead Exemption & The HYSA Strategy Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Free monthly budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/ Email Evan: evan@einvestingforbeginners.com Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, financial freedom is built one smart move at a time. Keep it simple, keep it steady, and at any rate, we’ll see you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFBpodcast Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tue, 11 Aug 2026 - 1031 - Why Your Brain is Sabotaging Your Portfolio
The stock market isn't just a platform for building wealth; it is a real-time stress test of human psychology. When headlines scream panic and portfolios bleed red, our innate cognitive biases trigger emotional reflexes that push us toward destructive mistakes like compulsive trading and holding onto losers. In this episode, Stephen and Andrew break down the mental traps that destroy returns and provide the systematic guardrails needed to protect your capital from yourself. What You Will Learn The Salience Bias Trap: Why reacting to the loudest financial headlines (like the hyped SpaceX IPO) almost always leads to poor capital allocation. Breaking the Action Bias: How the urge to "do something" out of boredom turns long-term investing into a destructive game of Whack-a-Mole. Defeating Confirmation Bias via Inversion: Why successful investors actively seek out three reasons their thesis is wrong instead of looking for validating echoes. Escaping the Sunk Cost Fallacy: Why a stock doesn't care what you paid for it, and how evaluating alternative opportunity costs frees up trapped capital. Curing Recency Bias by Zooming Out: How analyzing industry-wide generational cycles prevents knee-jerk reactions to last quarter's earnings reports. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction: The psychological stress test of market volatility 00:41 Identifying personal biases: Andrew’s "Anchoring" vs. Stephen’s "Action" bias 05:29 Salience Bias: Ignoring loud media headlines and social media algorithm noise 14:57 Anchoring Bias: Why reverse-engineering a thesis destroys returns 21:28 Action Bias: The danger of "running in place" and trading out of boredom 27:42 Confirmation Bias: Using inversion and the "3 reasons you're wrong" rule 32:58 Sunk Cost Fallacy: Evaluating opportunity cost and building an exit thesis 43:10 Recency Bias: Zooming out 50–100 years to understand long-term cycles Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing The Perfect Jean makes insanely comfortable, great-fitting jeans you can wear all day—check them out at theperfectjean.nyc. Function Health helps you get ahead of your health with comprehensive lab testing and clear, actionable insights—learn more at functionhealth.com. Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mon, 10 Aug 2026 - 1030 - The AI CAPEX Illusion with Thomas Chua
Tech giants are dropping hundreds of billions on AI infrastructure, but the market is punishing some players and rewarding others for the exact same strategy. In this episode, Thomas Chua from Steady Compounding reveals why the true story of AI demand is hidden in the footnotes of balance sheets, and how everyday investors can separate genuine compounders from capital-destroying hype. What You Will Learn The $700 billion footnote: Why Alphabet’s hidden long-term contractual agreements for data center power are a far stronger indicator of AI demand than standard CAPEX. The "Construction in Progress" margin illusion: How hyperscalers are temporarily protecting their profit margins by delaying depreciation on unpowered, unfinished data centers. Why Neoclouds are a ticking time bomb: The massive debt risk facing newer, AI-specific cloud providers if compute demand falters, compared to the safety nets of established giants like Microsoft and Amazon. The Nike cautionary tale: How management blunders and a blind pivot to direct-to-consumer sales severely damaged one of the market's most reliable compounding moats. Writing your own "pre-mortem": Why documenting your investment thesis before you buy is the only way to avoid narrative-chasing during a 40% stock drawdown (like Netflix experienced in 2022). Timestamps 00:54 Alphabet's $700 billion power commitment footnote 03:15 Construction in Progress (CIP) and the temporary margin inflation trick 06:45 What is driving real compute demand beyond OpenAI and Anthropic? 10:45 Hyperscaler CAPEX: Why Wall Street misjudged Meta vs. Microsoft and Amazon 17:35 Neoclouds vs. Big Tech: The dangerous leverage gap in AI infrastructure 20:35 TSMC’s capital allocation discipline and customer pricing power 22:00 The "Lunch Break Investor" framework for busy 9-to-5 professionals 24:45 Navigating 40% stock drawdowns: Speed bumps vs. secular declines (Netflix case study) 30:50 Why management quality is #1: The Nike direct-to-consumer distribution blunder 35:20 Detecting accounting fraud: Operating cash flow vs. net income & interest coverage 38:00 How to read financial statements without getting overwhelmed Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing The Perfect Jean makes insanely comfortable, great-fitting jeans you can wear all day—check them out at theperfectjean.nyc. Function Health helps you get ahead of your health with comprehensive lab testing and clear, actionable insights—learn more at functionhealth.com. Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thu, 06 Aug 2026 - 1029 - AAR61 - Drafting Our Finances
In this episode of At Any Rate, Evan and Andrew run a high-stakes "Fantasy Financial Draft." Alternating picks back and forth, they compete to build the ultimate personal finance strategy across six key categories: safe investments, compounding assets, inheritance accounts, side hustles, home ROI upgrades, and common money rules. From comparing index funds to LeBron James and individual stocks to Joel Embiid, to breaking down the tax magic of the "step-up in basis" rule, the guys debate high-upside financial moves against steady, reliable strategy—and let you, the listener, vote on who built the better team. What You Will Learn Safe Cash Management: The difference between High-Yield Savings Accounts (HYSAs) and Treasury bonds, including FDIC limits ($250k) vs. sovereign U.S. government risk. Compounding Strategy: Why individual stock picking holds an uncapped upside ceiling, while broad-market index funds (like VOO) deliver effortless statistical victory for most investors. Inheritance & Tax Advantage: How the "step-up in basis" tax rule can make inheriting taxable brokerage assets surprisingly powerful compared to tax-advantaged retirement accounts. Active vs. Scalable Side Income: Trading time for cash with freelancing versus compounding equity and rents with real estate. Home Upgrade ROI: The "5-Year Rule" for solar panel returns versus quick curb-appeal landscaping for home value staging. Debunking Money Myths: Why blanket statements like "never carry debt" and "credit cards are evil" overlook crucial financial tools when managed with discipline. Timestamps 0:48 – Welcome to At Any Rate: Setting the Rules for the Financial Draft 4:11 – Topic 1: Best Safe Investment (High-Yield Savings Accounts vs. Treasury Bonds) 8:02 – How Treasury Bonds Work & Navigating FDIC Limits ($250k) 12:12 – Topic 2: Best Compounding Investment (Individual Stocks vs. Index Funds) 15:46 – Why Index Funds (VOO) Beat Most Stock Pickers 17:41 – The NBA Metaphor: Joel Embiid Upside vs. LeBron James Consistency 19:34 – Topic 3: Best Account for Inheritance (Roth IRA vs. Taxable Brokerage) 22:45 – Explaining the "Step-Up in Basis" Tax Rule for Inherited Stocks 26:50 – Topic 4: Best Side Income Idea (Freelancing vs. Rental Properties) 32:15 – Topic 5: Best Home Upgrade for ROI (Solar Panels vs. Landscaping) 34:43 – The Curb Appeal Strategy & Home Staging Psychology 39:08 – Topic 6: Most Overrated Money Advice ("Never Carry Debt" vs. "Credit Cards Are Evil") 43:00 – How to Responsibly Automate Credit Card Cash Back into Investments 50:26 – Draft Recap: Evan's Steady Synergy Team vs. Andrew's High-Talent Roster 54:40 – Final Thoughts & Voting for the Winner Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Free monthly budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/ Email Evan: evan@einvestingforbeginners.com Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, financial freedom is built one smart move at a time. Keep it simple, keep it steady, and at any rate, we’ll see you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFBpodcast Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tue, 04 Aug 2026 - 1028 - Birdseye View ASTS: Moonshot Potential vs. Financial Reality
In this episode, Stephen and Andrew take a bird’s-eye view of AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) to separate the revolutionary promise of direct-to-cell satellite broadband from the cold, hard financial realities hiding in its SEC filings. While the technology aims to solve global cellular dead zones, a look under the hood reveals massive cash burn, crushing debt maturities, and significant operational delays. What You Will Learn Why direct-to-cell tech is a potential game-changer: How ASTS plans to eliminate cell towers and bring 4G/5G broadband directly to unmodified smartphones. The hidden risk in "politician speak": How vague management phrasing like "expected," "intended," and "planned" masks serious operational delays and cost overruns. Why revenue growth doesn't equal profit: The glaring discrepancy between ASTS's minor top-line revenue and its massive operating cash burn. The zero-pricing-power trap: How profit-sharing models with telecom giants (AT&T, Verizon, Vodafone) leave speculative tech companies at the mercy of their partners. Industries facing total disruption: Why cell tower REITs, satellite hardware manufacturers, and legacy telecom carriers could be rendered obsolete if space broadband succeeds. Timestamps 00:51 What is AST SpaceMobile (ASTS)? The mechanics of direct-to-cell 5G broadband 05:55 Analyzing the financials: $70.9M revenue vs. $358.6M operating loss 08:35 The debt breakdown: Convertible notes, dilution risks, and bankruptcy traps 13:25 Operational delays: Block 1 testing and the missing Block 2 launch timeline 16:50 Zero pricing power: Why Mobile Network Operator (MNO) profit-sharing is a risk 20:25 Evaluating the moat: S-band spectrum, Starlink competition, and the 3–5 year window 26:45 Industry disruption: The threat to cell tower REITs (AMT, CCI, SBAC) and legacy telecom 31:40 The red flags in management's language and undisclosed satellite CapEx Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing The Perfect Jean makes insanely comfortable, great-fitting jeans you can wear all day—check them out at theperfectjean.nyc. Function Health helps you get ahead of your health with comprehensive lab testing and clear, actionable insights—learn more at functionhealth.com. Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mon, 03 Aug 2026 - 1027 - Why 100-Baggers Cause Bad Decisions and How to Stay Grounded
The temptation of hitting a 100x return in the stock market often drives investors straight into emotional traps, leading to reckless greed or paralyzing fear. In this episode, Stephen and Andrew dive into the psychology of money, breaking down the true economics behind massive winners, how to manage emotional swings, and why building a disciplined, repeatable process is the only way to safeguard your portfolio over the long term. What You Will Learn Why the 100-bagger dream is a trap: How chasing huge wins distorts your decision-making and leads to panic selling or holding onto garbage. The hidden 3-part math behind 100x stocks: Why massive revenue growth isn't enough without valuation multiple expansion and widening profit margins. How to eliminate emotional trading: Simple guardrails—like forced 24-hour waiting periods and monthly decision schedules—to stop self-sabotage. Overcoming the Dunning-Kruger effect: Recognizing beginner’s arrogance before the market humbles your portfolio. The After-Action Review (AAR) framework: How military-style post-mortems and AI tools can refine your investment thesis and keep you grounded. Timestamps 00:00 The psychological traps of chasing and managing 100-bagger stocks 02:30 The reality of "100-baggers" and avoiding social media hype 05:00 The three engines of a 100x stock: Valuation, Growth, and Margin Expansion 09:30 Managing big wins: Panic selling vs. systematic profit-taking 14:00 Building psychological buffers (24-hour rules & monthly execution cycles) 21:00 The danger of arrogance: The Dunning-Kruger effect in investing 25:30 Implementing an After-Action Review (AAR) and re-reading old research 31:00 Overcoming a lack of confidence and taking the first step Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFBpodcast Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing The Perfect Jean makes insanely comfortable, great-fitting jeans you can wear all day—check them out at theperfectjean.nyc. Function Health helps you get ahead of your health with comprehensive lab testing and clear, actionable insights—learn more at functionhealth.com. Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thu, 30 Jul 2026 - 1026 - AAR60 - Money Debates 2 - Early Mortgage Payoff? Emergency Fund vs. HELOC
This episode is a follow-up to the recent “Money Debates” episode. Evan and Andrew run the format back with new topics: they present both sides of common financial arguments, then share what they personally agree with—sometimes changing their minds mid-discussion. They debate whether a HELOC (home equity line of credit) can replace a traditional emergency fund, whether paying off a mortgage early is smart or mostly emotional, whether a windfall should be invested as a lump sum or dollar-cost averaged over time, and whether credit card debt should be attacked directly or transferred to lower-interest options first. The recurring theme: math matters, but behavior and personality matter too—the “best” move depends on what you’ll actually follow through on. What You Will Learn HELOCs aren’t a replacement for an emergency fund for small emergencies, but can be a realistic tool for large home costs when cash savings aren’t feasible. HELOC risks: variable rates, fees, and the danger of over-leveraging your home equity. Use a margin of safety. Mortgage payoff is partly math, partly psychology: paying extra can be a guaranteed return and peace of mind, but investing elsewhere may win mathematically. Lump sum vs DCA: lump sum usually wins statistically for broad-market investing, but DCA can reduce emotional whiplash—especially for very large amounts or stock picking. Credit card debt: transferring balances can save real money if you still pay aggressively and don’t re-run the balance back up. For some people, “simpler” beats “optimal.” Timestamps 0:00 Money Debates Part 2 — format + what’s on the table 1:10 Topic 1: Emergency fund vs HELOC for home emergencies (definitions + framing) 3:00 HELOC downsides: variable rates, fees, and risking your home equity 5:10 When a HELOC can make sense (big-ticket repairs like roofs) 7:10 HELOC vs pulling from retirement: which is the lesser evil? 9:00 The “renovation raises home value” argument—and why it can backfire 11:40 Topic 2: Pay off your mortgage early vs invest instead 13:10 The lender calculator trap: “savings” vs opportunity cost 15:10 Accessibility: home equity vs taxable investing 16:40 Pro-payoff case: peace of mind, lower expenses, guaranteed return 19:20 The real answer: personality + interest rate (Evan shares his stance) 21:20 Topic 3: Lump sum vs dollar-cost averaging (DCA) after a windfall 22:40 Lump sum argument: time in the market > timing the market 24:10 DCA argument: reduce regret + average cost basis over time 26:10 Where they land: amount matters (10k vs 1–2M) + stock picking vs index 28:40 Topic 4: Pay off credit card debt vs transfer it (0% cards / personal loans) 30:10 Transfer argument: save hundreds/thousands in interest if you still pay it down 32:10 Behavior argument: transfers can “feel like progress” and reduce urgency 34:10 The practical middle ground: transfer if disciplined; otherwise automate payoff Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Free monthly budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/ Email Evan: evan@einvestingforbeginners.com Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, financial freedom is built one smart move at a time. Keep it simple, keep it steady, and at any rate, we’ll see you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFBpodcast Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tue, 28 Jul 2026 - 1025 - The Stoplight System with Tykr founder Sean Tepper
In this episode, Andrew interviews Sean Tepper, founder and CEO of Tykr (T-Y-K-R), an investing education and stock analysis platform built for everyday investors who want a clear, repeatable process. Sean shares how he went from running a service business to building a value-investing system inspired by Phil Town—then turning it into software with a simple “stoplight” rating: green (on sale), gray (watch), red (overpriced). They break down what drives Tykr’s ratings, why Sean avoids technical analysis, and how Tykr uses a combination of financial statement trends and margin of safety to score stocks. You’ll also hear his framework for evaluating companies beyond the numbers (the 4Ms: Math, Meaning, Moat, Management), why controlling emotions is the hardest part of investing, and how to think about building a focused portfolio without over-diversifying. What You Will Learn How Tykr’s green/gray/red stoplight system works The two big inputs behind the rating: financial statement trend score Why Sean ignores technical analysis The 4M framework for evaluating a stock beyond the numbers How “stockpiling” helps investors fight panic and use downturns as buying opportunities Timestamps 00:00 Meet Sean Tepper (Tykr founder) 00:34 Sean’s origin story: service business → investing → building a scalable system 02:18 Why he ditched influencers/noise and went math-first 03:16 The stoplight system: green/gray/red 05:31 Fundamentals vs technicals 06:53 Why value investing wins long-term 10:03 What makes a stock “green” 15:25 Who Tykr is for and why brokers leave beginners stuck at “now what?” 17:37 Biggest investor mistake: emotions vs. “stockpiling” during downturns 22:07 AI and the 4Ms framework Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFBpodcast Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing The Perfect Jean makes insanely comfortable, great-fitting jeans you can wear all day—check them out at theperfectjean.nyc. Function Health helps you get ahead of your health with comprehensive lab testing and clear, actionable insights—learn more at functionhealth.com. Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mon, 27 Jul 2026 - 1024 - Stop Overthinking Stock Screeners
Stock screeners can feel intimidating, but they’re really just a fast way to generate starting points—not “buy” signals. In this episode, Stephen and Andrew build a simple screener in Fiscal.ai (growth, ROIC, balance sheet strength, valuation, and anti-dilution rules), then run it live and walk through what shows up. You’ll hear how they quickly pressure-test businesses like Yelp, LendingTree, Brinker (Chili’s), Yeti, Zoetis, and CarGurus—using basic questions around moats, management quality, cyclicality, and what the financials are actually saying. The big takeaway: keep an open mind, be willing to be wrong, and use the screener to spark curiosity—then do the real research. What You Will Learn How to build a “good enough” stock screener without overcomplicating it Why a screener is a starting point, not an investing answer The key metrics Andrew screens for (growth, ROIC, leverage, valuation, dilution signals) How to do a fast first-pass business check How to think about “cheap” stocks correctly Timestamps 00:00 What this “live screener” episode is (no prep, show the process) 00:49 How Andrew built the screener and what it’s screening for 00:56 Fiscal.ai and the screener rules (growth, SBC <10%, negative financing cash flow, valuation, leverage, ROIC) 02:36 Run the screener: 43 names + how they’ll pick what to review 02:45 Yelp (YELP): quick overview + “Yelp Assistant” + 90% gross margins 03:46 Yelp moat question: “are people still using Yelp?” + Google/Maps competition 08:18 LendingTree (TREE): not a lender—lead gen marketplace + why research matters 11:20 LendingTree: what happened post-2019 (legal disputes, losses, data breach) 18:06 Brinker (EAT): Chili’s surprise growth + “cheap” means valuation, not share price 22:23 Brinker: same-store sales as the key KPI + why 25% comps is shocking Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFBpodcast Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing The Perfect Jean makes insanely comfortable, great-fitting jeans you can wear all day—check them out at theperfectjean.nyc. Function Health helps you get ahead of your health with comprehensive lab testing and clear, actionable insights—learn more at functionhealth.com. Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thu, 23 Jul 2026 - 1023 - AAR59 - We Grade Each Other's Financial Decisions
In this episode, Evan and Andrew try a fun (and slightly dangerous) format: they each bring real financial decisions from their past, give context, then let the other person interrogate the decision and assign a letter grade. The point isn’t to shame anyone—it’s to show how context changes the “right” answer in personal finance. They cover Evan’s Tesla purchase, Andrew’s past truck purchase, Evan’s “coffee gear” hobby spending, Andrew’s use of credit cards to float business expenses during a revenue decline, emergency fund sizing, and a final quick win: Andrew buying a MacBook Air on a Prime Day deal. What You Will Learn A “bad” decision can become reasonable once you add context For car buying, the payment-to-income ratio matters more than the raw monthly payment. Spending on hobbies isn’t automatically irresponsible if you’re avoiding high-interest debt and still funding the important stuff Business credit cards can become a slow trap when revenue declines gradually Emergency funds are personal Timestamps 0:00 The “be judgy” grading format explained (A–F) 2:15 Evan’s decision #1: buying a new Tesla Model 3 (2023) — context + numbers 3:45 Breaking down the real cost 5:05 Interest rate, loan term, and paying it down early with bonuses 6:25 Was it emotional or a good value? 9:25 Why some cars hold value better than others 10:50 Maintenance reality check 12:05 The big test 14:45 Verdict 16:55 Andrew’s decision #1: buying a used truck (2015/2016) after moving 18:30 Payment-to-income 21:10 The emotional driver 24:10 Final grade for the truck decision 26:10 Evan’s decision #2: $3,500 in coffee gear + $50–$60/month beans 28:00 Maintenance + upgrade path + the “no debt” rule 29:55 Verdict 31:20 Andrew’s decision #2: using credit cards to cover business expenses during decline 33:10 The slippery slope 35:10 Why gradual revenue drops delay hard decisions 37:00 Cutting costs in order: software → payroll/income → even retirement funds 39:10 The emotional weight of a business and why “just get another job” isn’t that simple 41:00 Grade 43:40 Evan’s decision #3: shrinking emergency fund from ~10 months to ~5.5–6 months 46:00 Why “too much cash” can feel wasteful 47:10 Verdict: enough is enough 48:50 Andrew’s final decision: Prime Day MacBook Air purchase (deal logic + reality check) Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Free monthly budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/ Email Evan: evan@einvestingforbeginners.com Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, financial freedom is built one smart move at a time. Keep it simple, keep it steady, and at any rate, we’ll see you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFBpodcast Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tue, 21 Jul 2026 - 1022 - Q&A: How Do I Value Banks & Insurance 101
Most businesses can be evaluated with a simple trio—revenue growth, margins, and free cash flow. But banks and insurance companies are a different animal: their “inventory” are loans, their raw material is risk, and their profits can look incredible right before things break. In this episode, Andrew answers a Value Spotlight member question (Nate) and walks through how to value banks and insurers in a way that doesn’t get you fooled by noisy earnings. You’ll learn why these businesses are balance-sheet driven, why cash flow statements can be misleading, and what frameworks actually help—like book value per share (BVPS), return on equity (ROE), bank reserve requirements, insurance float, and the combined ratio. Along the way, Andrew shares practical ways to think about risk, moats, and “too-hard pile” boundaries so you don’t lower your standards just to force an investment. What You Will Learn Why banks/insurers are balance-sheet businesses How to use BVPS × long-term ROE as a sanity-check for profitability and valuation What to look for in a bank’s loan book and capital ratios to gauge risk-taking How insurance float works and why underwriting quality (combined ratio) matters The big long-term risks Timestamps 00:00 Why banks/insurance are a different monster 02:49 Listener question from Nate (valuing banks/insurers) 04:45 Why these are intimidating: balance sheet focus + cash flow statement gets weird 08:27 Are banks/insurers good historical investments?) 12:33 “This bank is cheap” — skeptic checklist 14:03 How to judge bank risk: loan book, Tier 1 capital, defaults, disclosure quality 20:02 What’s a bank’s moat? switching costs, deposit base, scale, CEO quality, fintech angle 24:19 Valuation basics: BVPS, ROE, why P/E is often useless, and long-term averaging 36:12 Insurance 101: P&C vs life, float, combined ratio, investment risk + black swans Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFBpodcast Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing The Perfect Jean makes insanely comfortable, great-fitting jeans you can wear all day—check them out at theperfectjean.nyc. Function Health helps you get ahead of your health with comprehensive lab testing and clear, actionable insights—learn more at functionhealth.com. Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mon, 20 Jul 2026 - 1021 - Does T. Rowe Price’s 1950 Growth Stock Checklist Still Work Today?
What’s harder than finding a “great company”? Figuring out whether you’re buying a great company or just the great memory of one. In this episode, Stephen and Andrew hop into a time machine and pressure-test T. Rowe Price’s 1950 Barron’s checklist for picking growth stocks—then ask what still holds up, what breaks, and what’s surprisingly timeless. They walk through eight factors (management, R&D, competition, financial strength, ROIC, margins, regulation risk, and employee dynamics) and translate each one into modern investor language—using real-world examples like Apple, Amazon, Netflix, Coke/Pepsi, and even the gaming industry’s microtransaction “race to the bottom.” What You Will Learn How T. Rowe Price defined a “growth stock” in 1950—and why it’s more practical than today’s hype definition What “management quality and employee goodwill” looks like in real life How to think about R&D and innovation beyond buzzwords Why “cutthroat competition” often turns into a race to the bottom—and how to spot it early Where regulation can quietly cap returns Timestamps 00:00 Setting the stage: the 1950 Barron’s article and why it’s worth revisiting 04:31 Growth stock definition from the article and why it’s so “eloquent” 08:59 Checklist #1: management quality, employee goodwill, insider ownership 12:50 Social trends and employee sentiment 18:53 Checklist #2: intelligent research—new products/markets and staying ahead 24:55 Checklist #3: cutthroat competition, microtransactions, CAC, race to the bottom 31:41 Checklist #4: strong finances—debt metrics and surviving adversity 34:01 Checklist #5–6: ROIC and profit margins—what still works vs. what’s dated 40:23 Checklist #7–8: regulation risk and employee pay/flexibility Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFBpodcast Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing The Perfect Jean makes insanely comfortable, great-fitting jeans you can wear all day—check them out at theperfectjean.nyc. Function Health helps you get ahead of your health with comprehensive lab testing and clear, actionable insights—learn more at functionhealth.com. Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thu, 16 Jul 2026 - 1020 - AAR58 - Money Debates - Snowball vs. Avalanche and Other Fights
Evan and Andrew try a new format: common personal finance disagreements, argued from both sides—then they reveal where they actually land. They cover debt payoff strategy, whether leasing a car can ever make sense, the lifestyle tradeoffs of investing, and the classic housing question. Along the way, they keep it real: most money decisions aren’t just math—they’re behavior, stress, time, and lifestyle. The episode ends with a teaser that they’ve got more debate topics queued up for a Part 2, and they want listeners to add to the list. What You Will Learn Why snowball debt payoff can work better for many people, even if it’s not mathematically perfect Why avalanche is the cleanest math answer when high-interest debt is involved When leasing can be a reasonable lifestyle choice The real benefit of ETFs Why stock picking is hard because of positive skew Why buying a home can create stability, control & long-term leverage, but renting can protect you from maintenance risk, insurance gaps, mobility costs Timestamps 00:00 – Debate 1: Snowball vs Avalanche debt payoff 09:11 – Middle-ground take 11:10 – Reality check 14:41 – Debate 2: Buying vs leasing a vehicle 26:23 – Debate 3: Individual stocks vs ETFs/funds 27:15 – Why beating the market is hard + positive skew explanation 35:47 – ETF case: diversification, automation, time/stress savings (VOO example) 42:38 – Debate 4: Buy vs rent (housing) 43:14 – Buying case: stability/control + equity + “springboard” effect 49:02 – Renting case: maintenance risk + insurance gaps + flexibility 52:40 – Renting isn’t “free of costs”—they’re baked into rent Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Free monthly budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/ Email Evan: evan@einvestingforbeginners.com Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, financial freedom is built one smart move at a time. Keep it simple, keep it steady, and at any rate, we’ll see you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFBpodcast Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tue, 14 Jul 2026 - 1019 - 6 Warning Signs a Company Is Quietly Dying (Part 2)
In Part 2 of the Business Autopsy series, Stephen and Andrew keep building the framework for spotting companies that are quietly breaking down before the stock becomes a disaster. This episode focuses on the “sneaky” risks that often don’t show up in headlines until it’s too late—especially debt, dilution, and the slow creep toward irrelevance. They walk through real examples like Toys R Us (over-leveraged and unable to invest to compete), Krispy Kreme (a shift from capital-light to capital-heavy funded with debt), and Blockbuster/Bed Bath & Beyond as case studies in disruption. The episode closes with a practical recap checklist you can apply to your own holdings—plus a realistic take on black swan events and how to manage risks you can’t fully predict. What You Will Learn Why debt + dilution can quietly destroy shareholder returns even if the business “looks fine” How over-leverage can prevent a company from adapting (Toys R Us + e-commerce pressure) What to watch for when a company pivots from capital-light to capital-intensive (Krispy Kreme) How “irrelevance” happens in real time—and how consumer behavior can be an investing edge How to think about black swans, and why reading footnotes/obligations matters more than people admit Timestamps 00:00 — Continuing the business autopsy framework 02:10 — Symptom: Debt & dilution 03:32 — Debt risk in real life 05:19 — Toys R Us: over-leveraged, can’t invest to compete with Walmart/e-commerce 08:05 — Moats and discounting pressure 12:22 — Krispy Kreme: franchise model U-turn (capital-light → capital-heavy) 17:21 — Symptom: Irrelevance and why it’s hard to see in the moment 20:15 — “Know what you buy”: Peter Lynch and using products/consumer behavior as an edge 25:07 — Bed Bath & Beyond & “death of the mall” 31:10 — Bonus Symptom: Black swans Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFBpodcast Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing The Perfect Jean makes insanely comfortable, great-fitting jeans you can wear all day—check them out at theperfectjean.nyc. Function Health helps you get ahead of your health with comprehensive lab testing and clear, actionable insights—learn more at functionhealth.com. Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mon, 13 Jul 2026 - 1018 - 6 Warning Signs a Company Is Quietly Dying (Part 1)
Most investors think the biggest risk is buying the “wrong” company. But a sneakier risk is buying a company that used to be great—and not realizing the story has changed until the stock is down 70%. In this episode, Andrew and Stephen kick off a “business autopsy” series: how to recognize early warning signs that a company is quietly sliding into decline. You’ll learn why “stocks don’t die—companies die,” how investor psychology (denial, halo effect, survivorship bias) keeps people trapped, and why management behavior and customer experience often deteriorate before the numbers fully collapse. This is Part 1 of the series, covering the first major symptoms and real-world examples like Sears, Borders, Circuit City, Kodak, and Enron. What You Will Learn How to separate stock price movement from business deterioration Why denial and “halo effect” can keep investors holding losers too long What “incentive rot” looks like when management starts engineering optics over fundamentals How customer pain can create a business death spiral Why margin compression & “politician speak” in earnings calls can be an early red flag Timestamps 00:00 — Philosophy idea: “History doesn’t repeat—humans repeat,” and why that matters for investing 01:50 — Key frame: stocks don’t decline, companies decline (stock price is the aftermath) 04:31 — Defining a “great company”: story, moat, growth runway, and why competition is always coming 06:20 — Moat as defense/offense 08:44 — Symptom #1: Denial 13:16 — Sears decline mechanics 20:00 — How to tell “temporary trouble” vs real decline 23:44 — Symptom #2: Incentive Rot 31:10 — Symptom #3: Customer pain (service/inventory spiral) Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFBpodcast Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing The Perfect Jean makes insanely comfortable, great-fitting jeans you can wear all day—check them out at theperfectjean.nyc. Function Health helps you get ahead of your health with comprehensive lab testing and clear, actionable insights—learn more at functionhealth.com. Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thu, 09 Jul 2026 - 1017 - AAR57 - What Does Your Perfect Day Cost?
Money is pointless if it doesn’t help you live a better life. In this episode, Evan is joined by Andrew Sather to talk about what most people are really chasing when they chase money: peace and control. They start with a simple question—“What does your perfect day 5 years from now look like?”—and unpack what those answers reveal about what matters. From there, they get practical: how to build more peace through fewer financial surprises, how to build control through visibility and systems, why “optimizing net worth” can mess with your head, and how fear-driven decisions (saving or spending) can quietly derail progress. The big takeaway: control your actions, not the outcome. What You Will Learn Why most “perfect day” answers boil down to peace and control How to define spending as life improvement, not “wasting money” Why visibility (knowing where money goes) creates real control Why tying net worth to self-worth is dangerous The biggest needle-movers that wreck peace Timestamps 02:35 – The “perfect day 5 years from now” question 05:10 – The pattern Evan noticed 07:09 – How to actually build peace and control financially 09:19 – Peace = fewer negative surprises, predictable “waves” 11:02 – Boring basics + long-term payoff of effort 15:07 – Decouple finances from time; spending as life improvement 17:26 – Visibility changing decisions 24:08 – Motivation & discipline 29:03 – Saver vs spender dynamic 30:14 – Fear-based money decisions 35:06 – Problem with optimizing net worth as the goal 38:05 – “Net worth vs self-worth” 41:15 – Control your actions, not outcomes 41:44 – How people lose control 45:40 – Big needle movers Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Free monthly budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/ Email Evan: evan@einvestingforbeginners.com Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, financial freedom is built one smart move at a time. Keep it simple, keep it steady, and at any rate, we’ll see you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFBpodcast Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tue, 07 Jul 2026 - 1016 - Margin of Safety Planning: How to Prepare for the Risks You Don’t See Coming
Charlie Munger said if you can’t stay calm through a 50% market decline, you’re not fit to be a shareholder—and that’s the point of this episode. Stephen and Andrew break down a simple truth most investors miss: risk isn’t just price movement. Volatility is expected. The real danger is the stuff that causes permanent damage—liquidity crunches, too much debt, concentration blowups, inflation eroding purchasing power, and life events that wreck your timeline. They walk through the major risk categories with practical examples and beginner-friendly metrics (like quick ratio, current ratio, and debt-to-equity). The big takeaway: you don’t need to predict the future—you need a plan that can survive it. Build margin of safety into your investing process so the inevitable hits don’t take you out. What You Will Learn Why volatility is “temporary pain,” not the definition of real risk How to think about liquidity risk (and what to check in financial statements) The simplest ways beginners can sanity-check credit/debt risk Why concentration risk can build wealth or destroy it fast What reinvestment risk means for retirees using CDs/bonds How inflation, horizon risk, and longevity risk change your plan over time Timestamps 00:00 — Why last episode’s “tech rot” headlines aren’t real risk 01:50 — Volatility: “temporary paine 02:57 — “No free lunch on Wall Street” 06:30 — Liquidity risk: what it is 08:14 — Andrew’s checklist: quick ratio/current ratio + credit revolvers/commercial paper 10:25 — Concentration risk 13:22 — Practical diversification: 15–20 stock target + realistic timeframe to build it 20:45 — Credit risk: debt-to-equity + net debt/EBITDA + why defaults can zero you out 26:31 — Reinvestment risk + inflation + horizon/longevity risk: planning for the stuff you can’t control Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFBpodcast Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing The Perfect Jean makes insanely comfortable, great-fitting jeans you can wear all day—check them out at theperfectjean.nyc. Function Health helps you get ahead of your health with comprehensive lab testing and clear, actionable insights—learn more at functionhealth.com. Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mon, 06 Jul 2026 - 1015 - Tech Stocks Are Down—Is It “Tech Rot” or Just Noise?
Tech stocks dip and suddenly the media declares the bubble popped—“AI is over,” rates are killing growth, and data centers cost too much. Stephen and Andrew cut through the headlines and explain what’s actually going on: why broad labels like “tech rot” are mostly clickbait, and how small drawdowns get spun into a crisis narrative that can scare newer investors out of the market. Then they get practical. You’ll learn why growth stocks react harder to interest rates, what it means when a stock is “priced to perfection,” and why volatility isn’t automatically “bad”—it’s often just the tuition you pay for playing the game. They also hit the SaaS/software selloff and how to think about rebounds without blindly chasing “cheap” charts. What You Will Learn How to separate media noise from real fundamentals Why growth stocks are more sensitive to rates and discounting future cash flows What “priced to perfection” means How narratives can cascade into “spirals of doom” A cleaner way to think about volatility Timestamps 00:00 — “TechRot” headlines and doom narrative setup 05:19 — “40B to a trillion” AI numbers: why sloppy stats are a red flag 08:10 — Manufactured hype + IPO cycles 10:49 — The real question: AI ROI—does it ever show up? 12:06 — Where AI is useful vs. where it still breaks 16:05 — MAG7 snapshot & why “down” doesn’t automatically mean “broken” 18:01 — Downstream AI names volatility 22:09 — AMD vs. NVIDIA: valuation, PE, and why “priced to perfection” hurts 40:45 — SaaS wrap: case-by-case rebounds, Salesforce history, disruption playbooks Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFBpodcast Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing The Perfect Jean makes insanely comfortable, great-fitting jeans you can wear all day—check them out at theperfectjean.nyc. Function Health helps you get ahead of your health with comprehensive lab testing and clear, actionable insights—learn more at functionhealth.com. Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 - 1014 - AAR56 - Engineering POV on Building Margin Into Personal Finance
Most personal finance advice gets treated like a checklist: hit the emergency fund number, hit the savings rate, and you “pass.” In this episode, Evan explains why that mindset breaks in the real world—and why you should build margin into your finances the same way engineers build margin into parts, systems, and analysis. You’ll learn how small decisions “stack up,” how to set ranges instead of perfect targets, how to think about emergency funds as “load cases,” why banks approve you for way more house than you can safely afford, and why too much margin can also cost you money over time. What You Will Learn Why personal finance isn’t pass/fail How “stack-up” (small choices compounding) quietly wrecks budgets How to size an emergency fund based on your risk Why banks approve mortgages with basically zero margin The downside of over-margining Timestamps 00:00 – Why margin matters in engineering and money 03:15 – “Stack-up”: small financial choices add up 05:13 – Pass/fail money rules vs real-life ranges 06:55 – How to set a savings “tolerance” 08:22 – Margin applied to expenses 09:43 – Emergency funds as “load cases” 11:03 – Why strict emergency fund rules don’t fit everyone 14:12 – Redundancy: side income + backup systems 17:32 – Banks approving unsafe mortgages 23:19 – Yield points: why “barely safe” isn’t safe 25:34 – Variable debt as a crack 30:18 – “Factor in ignorance” when you’re young 33:42 – Margin must be recalibrated as life changes Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Free monthly budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/ Email Evan: evan@einvestingforbeginners.com Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, financial freedom is built one smart move at a time. Keep it simple, keep it steady, and at any rate, we’ll see you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFBpodcast Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tue, 30 Jun 2026 - 1013 - What the Shiller P/E (CAPE) Can and Can’t Tell You
A listener named Chris emailed in with a question a lot of investors are quietly thinking: if the CAPE ratio is around 40 and forecasts say future stock returns could be low, why keep investing at all—especially when CDs, T-bills, and high-yield savings accounts are paying 4–5%? In this episode, Andrew and Stephen break down what CAPE (the Shiller P/E) actually measures, why it’s elevated, and how to use it as a long-term expectations tool without turning it into a market-timing panic button. They also dig into the psychology behind investing when valuations feel “stretched,” why behavior matters more than being perfectly “right,” and how to think about risk if the market really does drop hard. The bottom line: CAPE can inform your expectations, but it can’t predict the future—and it shouldn’t stop you from building a consistent, long-term investing plan. What You Will Learn What CAPE (Shiller P/E) is and why it’s different from a normal P/E ratio Why a high CAPE can imply lower long-term returns without being a timing signal How market “top-heaviness” (mega-caps) can distort what CAPE seems to say How to think about investing behavior when you’re anxious or tempted to react A practical framework for deciding where your “next dollar” should go (based on time horizon + comfort) Timestamps 00:00 CAPE near 40, forecasts low returns, so why invest? 01:07 What CAPE is and why it’s a tool, not a crystal ball 02:35 CAPE basics: smoothing earnings over time 03:16 “Does it still make sense to invest?” 05:05 CAPE vs inflation analogy 08:25 CAPE is not for market timing 09:10 “Thermometer, not a calendar” 10:15 Why CAPE is top-heavy: mega-caps tilt the ratio 12:00 What’s driving CAPE higher: big tech valuations + “new” profit growth 22:25 Where does your next dollar go? Steps, psychology, time horizon, and staying consistent Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFBpodcast Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing The Perfect Jean makes insanely comfortable, great-fitting jeans you can wear all day—check them out at theperfectjean.nyc. Function Health helps you get ahead of your health with comprehensive lab testing and clear, actionable insights—learn more at functionhealth.com. Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mon, 29 Jun 2026 - 1012 - How to Read a 10-K in 20 Minutes (The Beginner Speedrun Checklist)
Most investors download a 10-K, scroll for a few minutes, and quit—because it feels like 100 pages of legal pain. In this episode, Andrew and Stephen break down a practical “speedrun” approach to get real value from a 10-K in about 20 minutes, without pretending you need to read every paragraph. They walk through the key sections that matter most for beginners plus a simple checklist to make sure you actually extracted what you needed. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s building a repeatable process that gets easier every time you do it. What You Will Learn What a 10-K is and why it exists (and how it protects investors) The 4–5 sections that give you the most signal with the least time How to skim smarter, what to look for, what to ignore, and why CTRL-F matters What to look for in MD&A so you can spot “politician talk” and vague explanations A simple 1–5 scorecard to test whether a company is inside your circle of competence Timestamps 00:00 The “20-minute 10-K speedrun” goal 00:45 Don’t read a 10-K front-to-back: treat it like a reference book 04:35 Skimming tip: look for numbers inside paragraphs (signal hiding in text) 05:25 What a 10-K is (SEC requirement + why disclosures matter) 07:40 Section 1: Business overview — can you explain the company simply? 11:10 Section 2: Risk factors — find what’s unique (not boilerplate) 17:35 Section 3: MD&A — look for clear drivers vs. “politician answers” 23:05 Section 4: Financials — debt, margins, and verifying the story 32:45 Section 5: Dilution + debt notes — stock-based comp, share issuance, maturities 39:45 The 5-point checklist/scorecard: moat, margins, balance sheet, dilution, cash flow quality Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFBpodcast Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Shopify: Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts for free at shopify.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing The Perfect Jean makes insanely comfortable, great-fitting jeans you can wear all day—check them out at theperfectjean.nyc. Function Health helps you get ahead of your health with comprehensive lab testing and clear, actionable insights—learn more at functionhealth.com. Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thu, 25 Jun 2026 - 1011 - AAR55 - 5 Years in Engineering: 5 Things I Learned About Building Wealth
In this solo episode, Evan reflects on five years working in engineering (quality → design) and shares the biggest money lessons he’s learned along the way. This isn’t a highlight reel or a sob story—it’s an honest breakdown of what actually changed his financial trajectory, what mistakes he made early, and what he’d do differently if he could start over. You’ll hear why a steady paycheck can create a false sense of security, how lifestyle creep sneaks in quietly, and why earning more doesn’t automatically build wealth. Evan also shares the moves that mattered most (budgeting, automation, emergency funds, and using tax-advantaged accounts) and the mindset shifts he’d tell his younger self to adopt—so you can build real financial security without guilt, stress, or perfectionism. What You Will Learn The difference between false security and true security Why lifestyle creep is “invisible” at first—and how to catch it early Why earning money isn’t the same as building wealth The highest-impact moves The mindset shift Evan would tell his younger self Timestamps 00:00 – Background: engineering career path 04:05 – Early financial goals & evolving “why” 08:40 – Lesson 1: false security vs true security 10:30 – How to build true security 13:00 – Lesson 2: lifestyle creep is invisible at first 17:30 – Lesson 3: earning ≠ building 20:53 – Lesson 4: make the moves that matter; skip the ones that don’t 22:40 – Avoid: guilt for spending, ignoring finances, “job will handle it,” buying cheap 28:30 – Lesson 5: what he’d tell his younger self (30 minutes beats worrying) Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Free monthly budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/ Email Evan: evan@einvestingforbeginners.com Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, financial freedom is built one smart move at a time. Keep it simple, keep it steady, and at any rate, we’ll see you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFBpodcast Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tue, 23 Jun 2026 - 1010 - Why A Negative P/E Happens and What to Use Instead
Ever pulled up a stock and noticed the P/E is negative—then immediately wondered if the company is “cheap” or just a disaster? In this episode, Stephen and Andrew break down exactly why a P/E ratio “breaks” when earnings go negative, what that actually tells you (and what it doesn’t), and why a negative P/E should be treated as a big red flag—but not an automatic walk-away. They cover the three most common reasons you’ll see a negative P/E (real operating losses, one-time accounting noise, and heavy reinvestment/hypergrowth), then walk through practical alternatives you can use to evaluate unprofitable companies without guessing—like price-to-sales, margins, free cash flow, and longer time horizons. The core message: don’t let a single surface-level metric make your decision for you—zoom out, understand the story, and validate it with the right numbers. What You Will Learn Why a negative P/E always means negative earnings The difference between trailing vs. forward P/E and why forward estimates can be “squishy” The 3 common causes of negative P/E What to use instead How to avoid getting hypnotized by a company “story” Timestamps 00:00 — Negative P/E confusion and the goal of the episode 01:56 — What P/E actually is and why negative P/E = negative earnings (always) 03:12 — Trailing vs. forward P/E: what changes and why estimates are “squishy” 04:11 — Why P/E is flexible (Ferrari example) and why context matters 06:04 — Cause #1: real operating losses (broken model vs. bad cycle vs. early-stage burn) 07:03 — Cause #2: one-time charges/accounting noise (Crocs/HeyDude impairment) + profit vs FCF disconnect 11:52 — Legal settlements and other “noise” that can distort earnings and risk 14:52 — Cause #3: heavy reinvestment/hypergrowth + “losses can be strategic, but risky” 21:27 — What to use instead: long horizon, price-to-sales, margins, operating profit, free cash flow 33:48 — Avoiding story traps Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFBpodcast Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing The Perfect Jean makes insanely comfortable, great-fitting jeans you can wear all day—check them out at theperfectjean.nyc. Function Health helps you get ahead of your health with comprehensive lab testing and clear, actionable insights—learn more at functionhealth.com. Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mon, 22 Jun 2026 - 1009 - Personal Finance First: The Step-by-Step Plan Before You Start Investing
Most people advise to jump straight into investing—but that’s backwards. In this episode, Stephen is joined by Evan Raidt (host of At Any Rate) to lay out a simple, phase-based roadmap for building a stable financial foundation before you start making investing moves. Think of it like building a house: if the foundation isn’t solid, everything you build on top of it is at risk. They walk through the basics—budgeting, emergency funds, debt management, and avoiding lifestyle creep—then outline clear phases for both younger listeners (new grads) and “late starters” who are trying to catch up in middle age. The big takeaway: you don’t need perfection, you need consistency—and you need to be willing to actually look at your finances without fear. What You Will Learn The “foundation first” order of operations: budget → emergency fund → debt → investing Why investing won’t make you stable—and why stability is what makes investing work How to avoid lifestyle creep when your income jumps after graduation What “messy but trending up” looks like in real-life finances How to catch up if you’re starting later: stop the bleeding, pay off debt, invest boring Timestamps 00:00 — Building a stable financial “foundation” 02:36 — What “basic personal finance” actually means 06:56 — Lifestyle creep: why the first real paycheck can quietly wreck you 08:27 — Key rule: you don’t invest to get stable—you get stable so you can invest 10:06 — Phase 0: know your “must-pay” monthly expenses, set up accounts, automate smartly 18:28 — Phase 1: $1,000 emergency fund, get the 401(k) match, and remove financial roadblocks 25:05 — Phase 2: kill high-interest debt + build emergency fund to 3 months + learn investment account basics 28:03 — Phase 3 & 4: start automatic investing (10–15%) + increase contributions as income rises (fight lifestyle creep) 42:47 — “Enjoy my 20s” debate: the real cost of delaying investing & building a solid life isn’t “boring” 48:17 — Late starters: stop the bleeding, get intentional, pay down debt, invest boring, and optimize protection Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFBpodcast Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing The Perfect Jean makes insanely comfortable, great-fitting jeans you can wear all day—check them out at theperfectjean.nyc. Function Health helps you get ahead of your health with comprehensive lab testing and clear, actionable insights—learn more at functionhealth.com. Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thu, 18 Jun 2026 - 1008 - AAR54 - AI and Your Finances: Tool or Risk
AI is everywhere—and now it’s creeping into personal finance in a big way. In this episode, Evan is joined by Stephen Morris to talk about what AI could mean for your money, especially as tools like ChatGPT move toward linking directly to financial accounts through services like Plaid. They break down the real risks: privacy and security, “black box” decision-making, hallucinations that sound confident, and the bigger issue—most people don’t know how to prompt AI, so it ends up telling them what they want to hear. The takeaway isn’t “fear AI,” it’s “use it like a tool”: get ideas, double-check math, explore options, but don’t outsource your financial decisions to a chatbot. What You Will Learn Why linking AI to your bank/brokerage could be a bigger risk than people realize How AI “people-pleasing” can lead to bad money decisions The difference between using AI as a tool vs. letting it make decisions Practical safety rules: avoid sensitive docs, use MFA, don’t blindly trust outputs Smart ways to use AI for finance Timestamps 00:00 – Why this matters: AI’s financial impact is coming either way 03:20 – ChatGPT linking to accounts via Plaid & “black box” concern 05:30 – Types of AI (ANI/AGI/ASI) & what current models can/can’t do 06:40 – Biggest risk: AI replaces the skill (budgeting, thinking, learning) 08:35 – People don’t know how to use AI → it tells you what you want to hear 13:18 – Conflict of interest: chatbots want you to stay and feel good 14:30 – Real risks: data leakage, lack of regulation, hallucinations 17:10 – Use AI daily, but don’t let it decide 24:35 – Safe uses 33:05 – Safety guidelines 36:56 – “Your info is already out there” 41:45 – Using AI for investing research 45:00 – AI as an intern, not a decision-maker Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Free monthly budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/ Email Evan: evan@einvestingforbeginners.com Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, financial freedom is built one smart move at a time. Keep it simple, keep it steady, and at any rate, we’ll see you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFBpodcast Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tue, 16 Jun 2026 - 1007 - Present Value vs. Terminal Value: The Real Difference Between “Value” and “Growth”
“Value vs. growth” gets treated like two different religions—but the math doesn’t agree. In this episode, Andrew is joined by Daniel Mahncke and Sean O’Malley to break down intrinsic value into two core components: present value (cash flows you can reasonably forecast) and terminal value (everything beyond your explicit forecast period). They make it tangible with two case studies: Universal Music Group as a “bond-like” business with predictable cash flows, and MercadoLibre as a long-runway compounder where more of the outcome depends on assumptions, competition, and execution. You’ll also hear how they think about earnings yield, margin of safety, and position sizing when the downside risk isn’t the same across businesses. What You Will Learn The difference between present value and terminal value in intrinsic value Why Buffett says growth and value are “joined at the hip” How to use earnings yield (inverse of P/E) to think more clearly about “expensive” stocks Why predictable businesses can trade cheaper than they “should” How uncertainty changes position sizing and downside risk management Timestamps 00:00 – Intro to Daniel Mahncke & Sean O’Malley 01:26 – Starting with Security Analysis 04:39 – Valuing stocks via present value vs. terminal value 05:14 – What a stock is worth: future cash flows + discounting (time value of money) 06:02 – Why “value vs. growth” is mostly identity, not math 09:23 – Multiples made tangible: earnings yield and margin of safety logic 11:11 – Case study #1: Universal Music Group 19:38 – Why UMG may lack “optionality” 24:15 – Case study #2: MercadoLibre runway, margin expansion, and why it’s riskier 46:11 – Portfolio management: conviction, co-managing decisions, and the “too-hard pile” Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFBpodcast Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing The Perfect Jean makes insanely comfortable, great-fitting jeans you can wear all day—check them out at theperfectjean.nyc. Function Health helps you get ahead of your health with comprehensive lab testing and clear, actionable insights—learn more at functionhealth.com. Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mon, 15 Jun 2026 - 1006 - Not All Dividends Are Equal: Dividend Kings, Aristocrats, and Red Flags
Not all dividends are created equal. In this episode, Andrew and Stephen break down two popular “quality filters” dividend investors use—Dividend Aristocrats and Dividend Kings —and why a long streak can be a useful starting point for stock ideas, not a guarantee of safety. They also dig into what a dividend streak can signal about a business, plus the red flags that can turn a “safe yield” into a trap—like unsustainable payout ratios, too much debt, and REIT-style dilution that gives you “your own pie back.” Finally, Andrew walks through a practical dividend checklist using Sherwin-Williams as a live example. What You Will Learn The difference between Dividend Aristocrats and Dividend Kings Why a high dividend yield can be a warning sign, not a gift The key metrics to sanity-check dividend safety How dilution can “fake” dividend returns A simple way to think about expected returns using dividend + buybacks + growth Timestamps 00:00 – Dividend Aristocrats vs. Dividend Kings 01:18 – The “corny” names that are actually useful filters 02:53 – “You don’t accidentally pay a dividend 25 years in a row” 04:56 – What a long dividend streak can signal 07:06 – Why capital efficiency (ROIC/ROE) matters for long-term dividends 11:39 – The big risk: kings/aristocrats can be in a business’s late innings 13:29 – Dividend safety checks: growth, debt, ROIC vs competitors, payout ratio 14:18 – REIT red flag: issuing shares to fund dividends (“robbing Peter to pay Paul”) 16:10 – Why high yield can be a giant red flag (stock price tied to yield) 18:16 – Andrew’s quick dividend checklist on Sherwin-Williams + hurdle rate framing Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFBpodcast Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0th4z72y #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing The Perfect Jean makes insanely comfortable, great-fitting jeans you can wear all day—check them out at theperfectjean.nyc. Function Health helps you get ahead of your health with comprehensive lab testing and clear, actionable insights—learn more at functionhealth.com. Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 - 1005 - AAR53-Stop Ballparking It: A Real Plan for Saving Toward a Goal
In this episode, Evan walks through a real-time example of saving toward a short-to-medium term goal: buying a motorcycle (plus safety gear) ahead of a future motorcycle trip with his best friend. Instead of vague “just save more” advice, he breaks down the exact mindset and planning process he’s using—built for goals under ~2 years where you need clarity, not hype. You’ll hear what to avoid , then a step-by-step framework so you can actually hit the target. What You Will Learn The biggest mistakes people make saving for a medium-term purchase How to set a goal amount with padding Where to pull money from without touching your “most powerful” savings Why a high-yield savings account is usually the best home for 1–2 year goals How to calculate your timeline Timestamps 00:00 – What this goal is 02:35 – Why this framework is for goals under ~2 years 07:00 – What to avoid 09:20 – Why “slush funds” can sabotage big purchases 10:50 – Don’t just save cash / don’t rely on credit cards 12:40 – Step 1: set the goal amount 15:55 – Step 2: use your budget (AAR03) & automate it 18:00 – Step 3: where to pull from 26:55 – Step 4: where to keep it 31:05 – Step 5: timeline math + compound interest calculator Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Free monthly budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/ Email Evan: evan@einvestingforbeginners.com Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, financial freedom is built one smart move at a time. Keep it simple, keep it steady, and at any rate, we’ll see you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFBpodcast Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tue, 09 Jun 2026 - 1004 - The Truth About Market Timing, Crashes, and Long-Term Investing with Ben Carlson
What’s the secret to investing? According to Ben Carlson (CFA, Ritholtz Wealth Management), the “secret” is that there isn’t one—building wealth is mostly about time, consistency, and letting compounding do the heavy lifting. In this conversation, Ben breaks down why the lottery-ticket approach and constant market timing are usually a losing game, even for smart people. We also dig into how the stock market and the economy don’t always move together, why macro data is hard to use in real time, and what history can teach us about surviving the worst-case scenarios (like the Great Depression). Ben shares a practical way to think about diversification, how to avoid extremes (including the Japan bubble example), and why having rules—an investing “policy statement”—can keep your emotions from wrecking your results. What You Will Learn Why the “secret to investing” is there is no secret—and why that’s good news The hidden trap of market timing: you have to be right twice Why the stock market and the economy can diverge What the Great Depression and Japan’s bubble teach about time horizon & diversification How rules and automation can protect you from emotional decisions Timestamps 00:14 — Ben Carlson, Ritholtz Wealth Management & his book Risk and Reward 00:57 — “What’s the secret to investing?” 02:26 — Market timing temptation 04:01 — “Worst market timer” story: investing at peaks and still compounding over time 05:03 — Cash as a “gateway drug” & the psychological toll of timing 07:15 — The Great Depression: the worst crash and what long-term returns still show 10:10 — Why studying market history matters 14:36 — Stock market vs economy 23:16 — Japan’s bubble & what it teaches about extremes and global diversification 38:15 — Rules, automation, and an “investment policy statement” to manage emotions Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/plynkifb2026 Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing The Perfect Jean makes insanely comfortable, great-fitting jeans you can wear all day—check them out at theperfectjean.nyc. Function Health helps you get ahead of your health with comprehensive lab testing and clear, actionable insights—learn more at functionhealth.com. Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mon, 08 Jun 2026 - 1003 - What “Invest With a Margin of Safety” Really Means
You hear us say it every week: invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. In this episode, we finally slow down and explain what that phrase actually means, where it comes from (Benjamin Graham’s The Intelligent Investor), and why it’s one of the most practical “anti-stupid” guardrails you can use as an everyday investor. We break margin of safety down into plain English: it’s not about being pessimistic—it’s about being realistic, doing the work, and leaving room for error. We also connect it to circle of competence, diversification as “training wheels,” and the difference between volatility (the roller coaster) and real risk (a business losing its edge). If you want a framework that keeps you from getting sucked into hype and overconfidence, this one’s for you. What You Will Learn What margin of safety actually means (and why it’s the foundation of value investing) The bridge/engineering analogy: why “barely safe” isn’t safe enough How to separate volatility (price swings) from risk (business deterioration) A simple thesis test: name 3 ways the company fails—or you’re guessing Why business quality + evidence + track record matter more than hot trends Timestamps 00:00 — What “margin of safety” means and where it comes from 02:25 — Who Benjamin Graham was & the “Super Investors of Graham & Dodd” idea 05:45 — Why you don’t have to copy anyone’s portfolio (ignore the “X machine”) 08:25 — When Andrew first read The Intelligent Investor & why it “clicks” for some people 12:35 — Margin of safety in simple English 13:20 — Build in room for error (buy at a discount to value) 15:55 — Diversification as training wheels 19:55 — How Andrew applies it 22:05 — Volatility vs risk: the roller coaster vs permanent business impairment 35:10 — The “home inspector” mindset & 3 failure modes Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFBpodcast Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing The Perfect Jean makes insanely comfortable, great-fitting jeans you can wear all day—check them out at theperfectjean.nyc. Function Health helps you get ahead of your health with comprehensive lab testing and clear, actionable insights—learn more at functionhealth.com. Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thu, 04 Jun 2026 - 1002 - AAR52 - Financial Realities of Home Improvement
Homeownership comes with a surprise a lot of first-time buyers don’t fully feel until it’s too late: everything costs more—and “small” projects can still run into the thousands. Evan and Andrew break down how home improvements differ from emergencies (like a roof or AC) and why renovations are so easy to underestimate when you’re used to apartment life. Then they get practical with a planning framework that reduces stress and prevents dumb money moves. You’ll learn how to build renovation costs into the home-buying process, why margin matters, how to avoid “assuming cash flow will cover it,” and how to set up ongoing home savings (including automation) so upgrades don’t wreck your budget. What You Will Learn Why financial stress becomes a self-reinforcing feedback loop Why home upgrades create upfront “sticker shock” compared to apartment upgrades A realistic way to plan for renovations before you buy (and why margin matters) When it might make sense to roll costs into the mortgage vs. taking on new debt The biggest mistakes to avoid: debt, cash-flow assumptions, and going crazy at once A simple system for ongoing home savings: separate buckets + automation + budgeting Timestamps 00:00 – Why this episode is about improvements and not emergencies 01:30 – New homeowner reality 07:00 – Apartment vs home upgrades 09:00 – Typical “minor” projects can still cost 10:00 – Costs are wild now 12:15 – Plan ahead before buying 15:40 – The 3% / 1% framework 20:50 – Mistakes to avoid: 29:45 – Separate home savings, vaults, automation, HYSA, budget Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Free monthly budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/ Email Evan: evan@einvestingforbeginners.com Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, financial freedom is built one smart move at a time. Keep it simple, keep it steady, and at any rate, we’ll see you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFBpodcast Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tue, 02 Jun 2026 - 1001 - Financial Modeling: FMVA, DCFs, and AI in Excel with Tim Vipond
Andrew sits down with Tim Vipond, co-founder and CEO of Corporate Finance Institute (CFI), to talk about what it really takes to learn financial modeling and valuation—without getting lost in the weeds. Tim shares how he went from teaching a live modeling course at a university to building CFI into a major online education platform, and why strong accounting fundamentals matter more than most people expect. They also get practical about how beginners can stop feeling overwhelmed by financial statements, how to think about DCFs and valuation frameworks, and what separates people who “kind of know finance” from people who can actually build models. Finally, Tim breaks down how AI is changing the workflow—especially using tools like Claude inside Excel to build models faster and even audit spreadsheets for errors. What You Will Learn What the FMVA certification is and what skills it teaches Why financial modeling often requires more accounting than people expect A beginner-friendly way to start learning financial statements How CFI used SEO & content repurposing to grow How AI can help analysts build and audit Excel models faster Timestamps 00:00 — Tim Vipond joins & why Andrew’s used CFI to learn finance topics 01:12 — How CFI started: teaching modeling live, then launching online in 2016 03:45 — Valuing a mining company 06:55 — FMVA explained: what’s inside the certification 09:26 — Why accounting feels hard 12:11 — Advice for beginners overwhelmed by numbers 14:28 — Operator mindset: value drivers, staying profitable, and discipline vs “raise forever” businesses 19:12 — SEO growth playbook: how CFI outranked competitors by making better content 21:11 — Breaking into investment banking 25:21 — AI for finance pros: using Claude in Excel to build models and catch errors Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/plynkifb2026 Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mon, 01 Jun 2026 - 1000 - Live Research: On Holding (ONON) — Great Growth, Big Questions
In today’s episode, Andrew and Stephen try something new: researching a company live, on-air, in real time. The company is On Holding (ONON)—a premium Swiss running and lifestyle shoe brand both hosts personally like, but don’t fully understand from an investor’s perspective. They walk through how they’d approach a high-growth stock when they’re still building conviction, using On as the case study. Along the way, they dig into On’s rapid revenue growth, valuation, and the big questions that matter most: pricing power, competitive advantage, and whether the brand’s “premium/bougie” positioning is durable. They also explore On’s “LightSpray” manufacturing tech, its shift toward direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales, retail expansion (especially in China), and the risks that come with concentration in footwear and a complex global supply chain. What You Will Learn How to research a company when you’re outside your circle of competence Why fast growth doesn’t automatically mean a great investment\ What to look for when evaluating pricing power and a real moat in a competitive category The upside and risk of shifting from wholesale to DTC, especially with customer concentration Why “cool story” innovations still need numbers & proof to build conviction Timestamps 00:00 — Researching a company live (On Holding) 00:31 — On is Swiss: 20-F vs 10-K 01:22 — Product experience: comfort, durability, “dad shoe” energy 05:46 — The bull case: insane revenue growth vs flat stock + valuation tension (PE vs forward PE) 08:55 — The big question: how big can On really get vs saturation & TAM thinking 10:43 — Competition & pricing power: premium positioning doesn’t automatically equal moat 11:18 — “LightSpray” tech: robotic spray manufacturing 21:22 — Ownership/voting control + dilution & why capital returns may never happen 25:38 — DTC shift + Dick’s concentration risk + retail expansion 55:22 — Too risky for now, what would change their mind Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/plynkifb2026 Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thu, 28 May 2026 - 999 - AAR51 - The Money and Mental Health Connection
Money stress isn’t just about dollars—it’s about what money does to your brain. In this episode, Evan and Andrew dig into the real link between mental health and finances: decision fatigue, avoidance, impulsive “therapy spending,” and the spiral where stress creates bad decisions… which creates more stress. Then we get practical. If you’re stuck in that loop, the goal isn’t perfection—it’s reducing the pressure so you can make clear decisions again. We walk through the “rip the band-aid off” steps that actually help: getting visibility with a budget, building an emergency fund as an emotional safety net, and using automation to remove willpower from the equation. What You Will Learn Why financial stress becomes a self-reinforcing feedback loop How uncertainty + decision fatigue makes even small purchases exhausting The 3 common stress responses: avoidance, impulsive spending, overreaction Why more income helps but doesn’t automatically fix money anxiety The practical “band-aid rip” plan: budget, emergency fund, automation Timestamps 00:00 – Why this isn’t a “therapy episode,” it’s actionable 06:00 – Decision fatigue: when every purchase becomes stressful 09:00 – The feedback loop: stress → worse decisions → more stress 15:00 – Avoidance vs impulsive “therapy spending” vs overreacting 28:00 – More money helps… but doesn’t fix the root problem 35:00 – Accountability: advisor, therapy, or a trusted person 40:00 – Relationships: misalignment & lack of communication 47:30 – Action steps: budget visibility, emergency fund, automation Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Free monthly budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/ Email Evan: evan@einvestingforbeginners.com Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, financial freedom is built one smart move at a time. Keep it simple, keep it steady, and at any rate, we’ll see you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/plynkifb2026 Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tue, 26 May 2026 - 998 - How Non-Food Franchises Build Wealth with Jon Ostenson
Most people hear the word franchise and immediately think fast food but franchising is much bigger than burgers and drive-thrus. In this episode, Andrew sits down with Jon Ostenson, a franchise consultant, investor, and author of Non-Food Franchising, to unpack what non-food franchising actually is and why it's become a serious wealth-building path for business owners. They break down the real advantages of franchising (product-market fit, a playbook, buying power, a tech stack, and community), how franchise due diligence works through the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), and why franchises can sometimes sell at higher multiples than comparable independent businesses. They also discuss funding options, what types of recession-resistant businesses people are buying today, and the biggest misconception. What You Will Learn What non-food franchising is (and why most people overlook it) Why franchises can have an edge How to evaluate a franchise using the FDD Why franchises can trade at higher resale multiples Common funding paths Timestamps 00:12 The non-food franchising twist 00:54 What non-food franchising means 01:56 Non-food franchising has been around longer than you think 03:43 Why franchising can beat starting from scratch 05:02 Why franchises can sell for higher multiples & internal M&A roll-ups 06:34 Jons story: corporate golden handcuffs to franchising + early lessons 08:06 Franchise vs. stocks: commitment, liquidity, and why due diligence matters more 09:40 The FDD explained: Item 7, Item 19, and how to research performance 12:01 How markets affect demand 18:00 Jons book & how listeners can get a free copy Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/plynkifb2026 Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mon, 25 May 2026 - 997 - Birdseye View: Caterpillar (CAT) — Moat, Dealers, and the “Picks & Shovels” of the AI Boom
Caterpillar (CAT) is one of those companies almost everyone recognizes—but most investors still struggle with the same question: how do you know if a great business is actually worth buying at today’s price? In this episode, Stephen brings the real-world perspective from growing up around mines and heavy equipment, while Andrew brings the numbers-first approach to see what the financials say. We walk through CAT’s moat at a high level: a massive dealer network, a parts-and-service flywheel, and a financing arm that keeps customers (and cash) inside the ecosystem. Then we zoom out to what’s driving the current excitement—CAT’s surprising exposure to AI infrastructure and a growing backlog—balanced against a real concern Stephen found in the research: pricing power. What You Will Learn Two practical ways to start a company deep dive: moat-first vs. financials-first Why CAT’s dealer network + parts/service flywheel can be a durable advantage How CAT’s financing arm strengthens the business and why scale matters What CAT’s AI infrastructure tailwind could mean Why pricing power can be a hidden risk, even for a great company Timestamps 00:00 — Why CAT is on the table 01:00 — Where to start: Andrew goes financials-first (fiscal.ai), Stephen goes moat-first 02:10 — Growing up around mines and CAT 06:30 — What a mine actually needs: machines, scale, and why maintenance is brutal 09:20 — The dealer network: localized “franchise-like” model 13:40 — Vertical integration: parts, service, and the revenue flywheel 16:40 — CAT as a “world bank”: financing equipment, parts, services, and dealers 21:00 — Product differentiation: reliability, ease of repair, and lease-to-buy behavior 28:10 — AI tailwind & data centers: generators, emissions standards, and “double-dipping” 36:40 — Valuation debate: backlog, forward PE, pricing power risk, and beginner takeaways Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/plynkifb2026 Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thu, 21 May 2026 - 996 - AAR50 - 5 Recession Preparations Without the Panic
In this milestone 50th episode, Evan and Andrew break down what a recession is, why it happens, and why the media often frames it in a way that creates unnecessary fear. Instead of doom-and-gloom predictions, the focus is on staying calm, reducing harm, and preparing in practical ways that actually help the average person. You’ll walk away with five actionable steps—covering job security, budgeting, emergency funds, investing behavior during downturns, and the idea of living with financial margin—plus a short list of what not to do when the news cycle gets loud. What You Will Learn What a recession is and common causes behind it The real-world effects on regular people (and why job security is the biggest one) How to think about recession-proofing your career without cheesy blanket advice Why a budget is a tool for clarity and leverage—not just cut everything How to build and store an emergency fund the right way Why pulling out of the market during fear is usually a long-term mistake The live with margin principle that makes you more flexible in any crisis Timestamps 00:12 Episode 50 & AAR approaching one year 02:20 The goal: reduce panic, stay calm, and prepare 03:08 What a recession is & common causes 06:16 Why this feels relevant right now 07:49 How recessions hit regular people 10:11 Media framing vs. personal impact 13:02 Step 1: job security—know your risk and build valuable skills 18:22 Step 2: budget—know your levers and your bare-minimum number 22:39 Step 3: emergency fund—3 to 6 months (or more) in a safe place 27:25 Step 4 + 5: keep investing if you can + live with margin Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Free monthly budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/ Email Evan: evan@einvestingforbeginners.com Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, financial freedom is built one smart move at a time. Keep it simple, keep it steady, and at any rate, we’ll see you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/plynkifb2026 Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tue, 19 May 2026 - 995 - How AI Is Changing Investing— with David Trainer
Andrew sits down with David Trainer, CEO of New Constructs, to talk about what AI can actually do for investors—and where most tools fall short. David explains why the future of AI in investing depends less on flashy chatbots and more on trustworthy, auditable data and domain-specific “agents” that don’t pull from the open internet. They dig into how New Constructs built its dataset over decades, why “99% accurate” data still isn’t good enough for financial decisions, and how their AI agent (FinSights) uses deterministic rules on validated fundamentals to help investors screen, compare, and avoid misleading earnings and black-box outputs. What You Will Learn Why AI outputs are only as good as their inputs What “agentic” AI means and why domain-focused agents beat internet-wide chatbots How New Constructs built an auditable fundamentals dataset over 20+ years How core earnings and “earnings edge” can change how you evaluate companies and indices What kinds of investors New Constructs is built for Timestamps 00:30 Why AI conversation matters 02:15 Fundamentals first 03:21 Why chatbots beat search—but still aren’t “expert” decision-maker 05:14 Google Cloud partnership & why reliable datasets are the real secret sauce 07:19 The problem with “best stocks” answers 08:03 What “agentic” AI means: domain-specific agents 09:14 “Walled garden” data: why the agent must NOT talk to the internet 11:57 Data reliability: why 99% good data can still be unusable for decisions 16:01 How New Constructs maintains data integrity & self-verifying systems 33:44 Index methodology & how their core earnings leaders / very attractive indices work Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ New Constructs: https://www.newconstructs.com/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/plynkifb2026 Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mon, 18 May 2026 - 994 - Back to the Basics: How to Manage Your Portfolio Without Overthinking It
We’re wrapping up the Back to the Basics series by tackling the part of investing that’s not flashy—but can make or break your long-term results: portfolio management. Stephen and Andrew break down what it actually means to manage a portfolio, starting with the simplest (and most important) principle: diversification—because the future will surprise you, and you don’t want one stock or one sector to decide your financial fate. From there, the conversation gets practical: how many stocks is “enough,” what position sizing looks like for different investing styles, why over-rebalancing can hurt returns (“cutting the flowers to water the weeds”), and why dollar-cost averaging beats trying to time the market. They also cover real guardrails—like reducing tinkering, avoiding over-concentration, and knowing what would make you trim or sell a position. What You Will Learn Why diversification is the first rule of portfolio management How position sizing works—and why 15–20 stocks is a common “sweet spot” for stock pickers Why over-rebalancing can sabotage your winners How dollar-cost averaging helps you avoid the trap of market timing Common ways investors blow up portfolios—and the guardrails that prevent it Timestamps 00:00 Wrapping up Back to the Basics & why portfolio management matters (even if it’s “not fun”) 01:49 The #1 beginner rule 08:16 What “diversify” can mean 12:44 Position sizing & why many stock pickers aim for ~15–20 holdings 15:17 Rebalancing danger: “cutting the flowers to water the weeds” 19:23 Dollar-cost averaging, consistency, and avoiding market timing 26:05 Why timing fails: big up days happen during bear markets too 29:51 Adding vs. trimming: focus on fundamentals changing, not emotions 34:55 Sell rules: negative earnings, dividend cuts, and unsustainable debt 45:58 Guardrails + how portfolios get blown up: tinkering, over-concentration, over-leverage Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/plynkifb2026 Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thu, 14 May 2026 - 993 - AAR49 - Why High Interest Rates Are Good For You
High interest rates get painted as “bad news” almost by default—but for everyday people, that’s only half the story. In this episode, Evan and Andrew break down why higher rates can actually help you build a stronger financial foundation, especially if you’re a saver. You’ll learn how higher rates can boost what you earn on idle cash (like emergency funds), make fixed-income options like CDs, T-bills, and bonds more attractive, and even create better planning opportunities for medium-term goals—without getting sucked into the “Fed panic” cycle. What You Will Learn Why the media narrative on interest rates is often skewed toward borrowers and businesses How higher rates can meaningfully increase returns on high-yield savings (with real numbers) When bonds/CDs make sense—and how “locking in” rates can simplify planning Why long-term investors shouldn’t obsess over rate moves (and what to focus on instead) Practical next steps for cash, medium-term goals, and long-term investing Timestamps 00:00 Why “high rates are bad” is an incomplete story 01:20 The real narrative: borrowers vs. everyday savers 03:55 High-yield savings accounts: why higher rates help your cash 05:20 Example: $20k at 0.5% vs. 4.5% and why it’s a big deal 06:20 CDs & T-bills: similar benefits, different tradeoffs 09:00 Borrowing gets more painful—why that can still be a net good for some people 12:20 Fixed income gets more attractive: bonds, spreads, and where you are in your journey 17:20 Locking in rates 20:00 Higher rates can cool demand and potentially lower prices 22:20 Stock market + interest rates: why long-term investors should tune out the noise Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Free monthly budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/ Email Evan: evan@einvestingforbeginners.com Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, financial freedom is built one smart move at a time. Keep it simple, keep it steady, and at any rate, we’ll see you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/plynkifb2026 Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tue, 12 May 2026 - 992 - Back to the Basics: How to Find Great Stock Ideas (Rabbit Holes vs. Screeners)
Finding a great stock idea is hard—especially when you’re new and it feels like everyone has “the best” method. In this Back to the Basics episode, Stephen and Andrew compare how they personally generate investing ideas: Stephen’s rabbit hole method (starting with a company you already understand and branching out through suppliers, competitors, and beneficiaries) versus Andrew’s more numbers-first approach using watchlists and screeners. Along the way, they talk about why “touching a great brand” doesn’t automatically make a company a great investment, how to think about what’s truly mission-critical in a business, and how to build a repeatable pipeline for ideas without burning out. If you’ve ever wondered where to start, what to ignore, and how to develop your own style over time—this one’s for you. What You Will Learn How Stephen’s “rabbit hole” idea generation works (and why it can help you diversify) How Andrew uses watchlists, dashboards, and screening metrics to narrow the field fast Why supplier relationships can be risky—even when the customer is a world-class company How to spot early red flags (like excessive leverage) before you waste hours digging A practical mindset for beginners: relax, be patient, and build a repeatable process Timestamps 01:58 — Ferrari EV pricing/brand risk and why the market feels “cray-cray” 09:53 — Why finding good stock ideas is hard 18:10 — Stephen’s “rabbit hole method”: start with a company you know and branch into suppliers/materials 21:35 — How far do you go? 28:25 — CEO retirements (Tim Cook) and why headlines can create new rabbit holes 37:45 — The key nuance—supplier ≠ automatic buy (start skeptical) 39:55 — “Mission critical” vs. nice-to-have: what actually matters in a business ecosystem 43:10 — Andrew’s approach: watchlists + fiscal.ai dashboards & when he runs a screen 44:40 — Example screener metrics 56:20 — When to open the 10-K & how to build a repeatable idea pipeline over time Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/plynkifb2026 Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mon, 11 May 2026 - 991 - Back to the Basics: Circle of Competence
Circle of competence” sounds fancy, but it’s really just this: know what you know, and know what you don’t. In this episode, Stephen and Andrew break down how most investing mistakes happen when you get confident in a business you don’t truly understand—even if the company feels familiar on the surface. You’ll learn how to define your circle of competence, how to expand it safely over time, and how to avoid common traps like investing in “cool” companies or getting swept up in market narratives. Stephen also shares a simple pen-and-paper method to quickly test whether a company is truly inside your circle. What You Will Learn What a “circle of competence” actually means (and why it matters for stock picking) How to separate familiarity with a company from understanding the business model How moats, competition, and industry dynamics affect long-term results A simple checklist to test whether a company is inside your circle of competence How to expand your circle safely (sleep on decisions, start small, watch your emotions) Timestamps 00:00 — Why circle of competence matters 01:51 — Business understanding & where your investor advantages are 02:59 — “Know what you don’t know” 04:13 — Moats & competition 06:36 — Consumer knowledge vs business knowledge 09:14 — Stephen’s first true circle of competence stock 14:52 — The “cool company” trap 17:31 — Narrative risk 19:25 — Early wins can make you cocky 21:07 — Why narratives flip fast 26:53 — How to find your circle 35:39 — Walking away from what you don’t understand 36:35 — Real-time circle advantage 38:36 — Where to draw the line Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/plynkifb2026 Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thu, 07 May 2026 - 990 - AAR48— The Real Cost of Going Electric
Thinking about buying an EV? In this episode, Evan breaks down the actual financial impact of owning an electric vehicle—using his real numbers from owning a Tesla Model 3 since December 2023. Instead of debating whether EVs are “cool” or “annoying,” this episode stays focused on the money: upfront price differences, tax credits, charging costs, insurance, maintenance, depreciation, and the big unknown everyone worries about—battery replacement. You’ll also hear the practical decision filters Evan would use if he were buying again: how much you drive, whether you can charge at home , what incentives exist in your state, and when an EV simply doesn’t make sense. What You Will Learn Why EVs often cost more upfront How tax credits and discounts can dramatically change the purchase price Evan’s real purchase numbers The true cost per mile: home charging vs supercharging vs gas How much home charging setup can cost Why EV insurance can be higher—and how to avoid getting surprised Where EVs can save you money The real “unknowns”: battery replacement risk, degradation, depreciation Who an EV makes sense for financially Timestamps 00:00 — Upfront cost: EV MSRP vs gas + typical price gap 03:53 — Incentives: federal/state credits and why they change 04:39 — Evan’s purchase numbers 07:05 — Buying too early vs buying when it’s actually sustainable 09:39 — Fuel math: EV vs gas cost per mile + fast-charging caveat 13:06 — Home charging setup 15:20 — Insurance: why it’s higher & how Evan shopped it down 18:15 — Maintenance: oil/brakes/drivetrain + tire wear reality 21:04 — Battery replacement fear, degradation, and what’s changed 22:46 — Depreciation & Evan’s value tracking 25:08 — Charging options: Level 1 vs Level 2 vs Level 3 28:41 — Monthly impact: ~ $90–$100/month savings estimate 30:09 — Financial “whys”: why the Tesla was worth it 32:31 — Who EVs make sense for Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Free monthly budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/ Email Evan: evan@einvestingforbeginners.com Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, financial freedom is built one smart move at a time. Keep it simple, keep it steady, and at any rate, we’ll see you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/plynkifb2026 Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tue, 05 May 2026 - 989 - Back to the Basics: Compound Interest Explained (The Snowball That Makes You Rich)
Compound interest is one of the most powerful (and most misunderstood) forces in investing. In this Back to the Basics episode, we break down what compound interest actually is, why time matters more than most people think, and how even small contributions can snowball into life-changing money. We also talk through the Rule of 72, why dividends can supercharge compounding, and the mindset shift that happens when you stop treating investing like gambling and start treating it like long-term ownership. What You Will Learn What compound interest is and why it’s “interest on interest on interest” Why starting earlier can beat investing more money later How dividends can accelerate compounding over decades The Rule of 72 and how to estimate how fast money doubles Why long-term investing feels peaceful compared to trading Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome back 00:38 – The “20-year-old invests $100/mo vs 40-year-old invests $1,000/mo” setup 01:41 – The surprising result & why time can beat higher contributions 03:58 – Compound interest explained 07:31 – Snowball insight: “the bigger it gets, the less snow it takes” 07:57 – Why dividends matter for compounding 10:01 – “I don’t have money to invest” & why compounding feels counterintuitive 15:45 – Rule of 72: estimating how fast money doubles 19:13 – “Snowballs on snowballs”: companies compounding internally 30:49 – Biggest investing regret: being too risk-averse early on 36:31 – What compounding feels like now 41:27 – Message to the “punk kid” & why this matters 45:50 – Share your compound interest story Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence. https://plynkinvest.app.link/plynkifb2026 Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Get your free quote and see how much you could save at SelectQuote.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mon, 04 May 2026 - 988 - Back to the Basics: Stock Dilution and the Main Types of Investments Explained Simply
Share dilution sounds scary — and a lot of the time, it is. In this episode, we break down what dilution actually means, why companies do it, and how it can either help you or quietly hurt you. We also dig into the flip side: buybacks. Buybacks can boost your slice of the “pizza,” but they can also be a trap if a company is borrowing money to fund them, skipping real growth investments, or buying back shares at ridiculous valuations. Then we zoom out and hit other common investment types beginners ask about — gold, bitcoin/crypto, mutual funds vs. ETFs, bonds/CDs, real estate/REITs, — with one big reminder: cool doesn’t equal safe. What You Will Learn What share dilution is (and why it’s not automatically “bad”) How to sanity-check dilution by tracking diluted shares outstanding over time When buybacks are smart — and when they’re financial lipstick Why stock-based compensation can hide dilution even when buybacks look huge How to think about “alternative” investments without getting wrecked by hype Timestamps 01:20 – Welcome back + today’s topic: share dilution 02:13 – Dilution basics: the IPO ownership math (why it happens) 04:17 – Stephen’s sweet tea analogy (and why dilution feels bad) 05:44 – When dilution is good: “did the added water bring more sugar?” 06:33 – Buybacks: the pizza-slice analogy + when buybacks go wrong 10:00 – Stock-based compensation: the sneaky dilution that doesn’t show up in headlines 12:47 – Where to find share count (income statement + annual report + tools) 15:07 – What to do when share count jumps: dig deeper or get out? 23:15 – Beginner rule: track diluted shares outstanding trend (10-year view) 26:23 – Pivot: other investment types (gold → bitcoin/crypto → funds → bonds/CDs → REITs) Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence: https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFB Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Get your free quote and see how much you could save at SelectQuote.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thu, 30 Apr 2026 - 987 - AAR47 - More Money, Worse Life?
Job-hopping for higher pay is common advice—but does “more money” actually improve your life? Evan is joined by Andrew Sather to challenge the reflex to chase bigger numbers and to zoom out to the stuff the salary statistic never captures: stress, hours, commute, PTO, culture, and whether the work aligns with what you care about. They walk through a practical decision framework: define your financial “whys,” translate the raise into real life impact (not just a headline number), and compare the true cost of a job change—financial and lifestyle—before you jump. What You Will Learn How to define your financial “whys” before evaluating a new offer How to translate a raise into real lifestyle impact using your budget/spreadsheet The “true cost” categories people forget (stress, commute time, PTO, benefits, culture) What math to run: commute + maintenance, healthcare, 401(k) match/vesting, bonus structure, relocation How to decide if a raise actually “moves the needle” or just fuels lifestyle inflation When taking less money can still lead to a better life Timestamps 00:00 — A different lens on job-hopping 02:33 — Start with your financial “whys” (why do you want more money?) 05:01 — Plug the raise into your budget: does it really move the needle? 07:23 — The “true cost” of a new job: hours, stress, commute, PTO, benefits, culture 10:16 — “Job why”: do you believe in what the company does? 12:40 — Do the math: commute, healthcare, 401(k) match + vesting, PTO value, bonuses 17:05 — Relocation & commute time as a hidden daily cost 20:31 — Does it move the needle—or just become lifestyle inflation? (50/50 rule) 25:10 — Can less money = better life? Quality of life per hour vs pay per hour 28:14 — Andrew’s transition: engineering → investing educator 33:01 — Culture vs “buku bucks”: why some high-pay jobs aren’t worth it 35:47 — When leaving is worth it 38:37 — A step-by-step decision process 41:21 — “The best job moves you forward as a whole person, not just your salary.” Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Free monthly budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/ Email Evan: evan@einvestingforbeginners.com Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, financial freedom is built one smart move at a time. Keep it simple, keep it steady, and at any rate, we’ll see you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence: https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFB Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tue, 28 Apr 2026 - 986 - Back to the Basics: Why Companies Go Public + The 3 Financial Statements Beginners Must Know
In this episode, we go back to the basics: why companies go public in the first place, what an IPO actually is, and why the hype around “getting in early” often works against everyday investors. We talk through the real incentives—raising capital, letting founders and early employees cash out, and funding aggressive growth—especially in winner-take-all industries like tech. We also cover the tradeoffs of being a public company, including Wall Street’s short-term pressure, the cost of compliance, and how unrealistic expectations can crush momentum (even for great businesses). From Chick-fil-A to SpaceX, we break down why some companies stay private longer—and why IPO investing can be so tempting. Finally, we explain the stock life cycle (from IPO to high growth to maturity to decline) and how you can use the three financial statements—income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement—to understand where a business is in its journey. What You Will Learn Why companies choose to IPO (and why many wait longer now) The biggest risks of going public for founders, employees, and investors Why we’re generally cautious about IPO investing as beginners The 5-stage “life cycle” of a stock and what it means for returns What the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement actually tell you Timestamps 0:00 — Why companies go public 1:35 — The real reason: money 3:10 — Winner-take-all industries & “burn cash to win” dynamic 4:25 — Risks of going public: hype, momentum, and Wall Street pressure 6:40 — SpaceX IPO talk: why now & why it’s tempting 7:05 — IPOs explained & why beginners usually shouldn’t buy them 27:30 — The stock life cycle: growth → sweet spot → maturity → decline 33:30 — The 3 financial statements 40:30 — Wrap-up takeaways Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence: https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFB Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Get your free quote and see how much you could save at SelectQuote.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Get your free quote and see how much you could save at SelectQuote.com/beginners Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mon, 27 Apr 2026 - 985 - A Shoe Company “Pivots to AI”… and the Stock Jumps 582% (Markets Are Cray-Cray)
In today’s episode, we kick things off with Amazon’s new 3.5% fee for third-party sellers and why the internet outrage might be missing the bigger point: shipping, logistics, and supply chain costs are real—and they don’t magically disappear just because Prime feels “free.” Then we dig into peak market mania: a shoe company (Allbirds) announces a pivot to AI and the stock rips higher in a single day. We talk about why hype cycles keep repeating (dot-com, crypto, now AI), and how beginners can protect themselves by focusing on fundamentals instead of headlines. Finally, we break down day trading rules, margin accounts, and why loosening restrictions could hurt everyday investors. As always: do your research, don’t buy the hype, and never forget—margin cuts both ways. What You Will Learn Why Amazon passing along costs isn’t automatically “greed” (and how consumers get spoiled by Prime) What an “AI pivot” stock spike says about speculation in the market The basics of the Pattern Day Trader rule and why margin can go sideways fast A safer way to “dabble” in day trading (without borrowing money) Timestamps 0:00 — Amazon adds a 3.5% fee for third-party sellers: big deal or business as usual? 1:45 — The real cost of shipping (and why Prime makes us forget) 8:25 — Bloomberg KPI: Strait of Hormuz ship transits + supply chain ripple effects 13:50 — Allbirds “pivots to AI” and the stock explodes: hype cycles never die 20:35 — Pattern Day Trader rule: what it is and why it existed 23:10 — Margin vs. cash accounts + the $25,000 threshold 27:10 — Why day trading influencers sell a fantasy (and what the real job looks like) 35:40 — Key takeaways: fundamentals > social media, don’t ignore real events, and avoid leverage Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence: https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFB Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Get your free quote and see how much you could save at SelectQuote.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Get your free quote and see how much you could save at SelectQuote.com/beginners Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thu, 23 Apr 2026 - 984 - AAR46 - Financial Half-Truths
In this episode, Evan dives deep into the realities of debt, including the emotional and financial impact of paying off a mortgage early. We challenge the age-old myth that "renting is throwing away money" and explore how to properly view your primary residence as a lifestyle choice rather than a pure investment. Whether you are looking to buy, rent, or manage existing debt, this episode breaks down the math and the mindset needed to build long-term prosperity. Topics Covered: The emotional vs. mathematical reality of paying off a mortgage. The "refinance game" and its hidden traps. Debunking the myth that renting is simply throwing your money away. How to properly diversify your accounts for downside protection. The lifestyle upside of debt and how to view it through the right lens. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 05:21 Diversifying your accounts and managing downside risk. 08:35 The emotional impact of paying off a mortgage. 13:47 Thoughts on the "refinance game." 17:02 Is renting actually throwing away money? 33:23 Understanding the lifestyle upside of debt. 43:13 Outro and final thoughts on personal finance. Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Free monthly budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/ Email Evan: evan@einvestingforbeginners.com Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, financial freedom is built one smart move at a time. Keep it simple, keep it steady, and at any rate, we’ll see you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence: https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFB Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Get your free quote and see how much you could save at SelectQuote.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tue, 21 Apr 2026 - 983 - The Complexity Myth: Why Investing is Simpler Than You Think
In this episode, Andrew and Stephen step away from in-depth stock market analysis to tackle a more personal topic: how to talk to the people you love about investing. Stephen shares a personal story about his dad's journey from skepticism to believing in the power of compounding, and the guys discuss common misconceptions that keep people from starting their wealth-building journey. They break down why investing doesn't have to be complicated and share practical analogies to help you navigate stock picking. What You Will Learn: Overcoming Skepticism: Stephen shares how his dad started investing late in life but still benefited from compounding to retire. The Complexity Myth: Why you don't need to know every single metric to start investing, and how to simplify the process. Just Get Started: The simple steps to open a brokerage account and buy your first index fund. The "Too Old" Fallacy: Why it's never too late to start investing, even if you feel like you missed the boat. Stock Picking Advice: If you want to pick stocks, be prepared to read—but don't get overwhelmed by the numbers. The Patriots Analogy: Why investing in consistent winners (like the Patriots or Apple) is often better than gambling on long shots (like the Jets). Investing Should Be Fun: The importance of enjoying the process and not just focusing on the final numbers. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and the importance of talking to loved ones about investing. 01:25 - Steven's story about his dad's late start to investing and the power of compounding. 05:06 - Overcoming the idea that investing is too complicated. 07:46 - How to easily open a brokerage account and start investing. 10:15 - Moving from simple investing to stock picking: The importance of reading. 22:23 - The Football Analogy: Betting on winners vs. gambling on long shots. 29:03 - Enjoying the journey and making investing fun. 35:34 - Final thoughts and the importance of just getting started. Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence: https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFB Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Get your free quote and see how much you could save at SelectQuote.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Get your free quote and see how much you could save at SelectQuote.com/beginners Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mon, 20 Apr 2026 - 982 - A Contrarian Take on AI: Is It Time to Buy Software Stocks?
In this episode, Andrew tackles a listener's question about the recent brutal sell-off in the Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) sector and whether AI is coming to eat Adobe’s lunch. He dives into the real threats facing software companies, unpacks some alarming studies on the psychological impacts of AI, and explains why comparing the current AI boom to the early days of the internet might be a dangerous case of recency bias. Finally, he breaks down Adobe's Q1 numbers to figure out if it's time to "buy the dip." What You Will Learn: The SaaS Sell-Off: Why major software companies are seeing massive stock drops, and how AI's ability to code is lowering the barriers to entry for new competitors. The Usage-Based Threat: The potential for the software industry to shift from a lucrative subscription model to a usage-based model. The Dark Side of AI: Andrew dives into recent studies highlighting the cognitive decline and mental health risks associated with heavy AI chatbot usage. AI vs. The Internet: Why comparing the AI boom to the 90s dot-com era might be a mistake due to the centralization and corporate control of AI models. Recency Bias & Buying the Dip: Andrew shares personal investing stories to illustrate why buying the dip requires deep qualitative research, not just looking at historical numbers. Adobe's Moat: A look at Adobe's strong Q1 numbers and the debate over whether their "industry standard" status can protect them from AI disruption. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and a listener's question on Adobe, AI, and the SaaS sector. 01:31 - Why SaaS stocks (Adobe, Salesforce, ServiceNow) have been getting hammered. 02:18 - The threat of AI lowering barriers to entry and shifting SaaS revenue models. 04:51 - Discussing studies on the negative cognitive and mental health impacts of AI usage. 14:09 - Why AI is not the next internet (centralized vs. decentralized). 16:38 - The danger of recency bias in investing and past mistakes. 19:33 - Analyzing Adobe's recent Q1 numbers (ARR and deferred revenue). 24:22 - The hidden dangers of "buying the dip" (Franklin Resources vs. Google). 31:29 - Final thoughts on Adobe's moat and navigating market uncertainty. Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence: https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFB Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Get your free quote and see how much you could save at SelectQuote.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Get your free quote and see how much you could save at SelectQuote.com/beginners Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thu, 16 Apr 2026 - 981 - AAR45 - Is Dollar Cost Averaging Losing You Money?
In today’s episode, Evan (aka Aaron) Raidt and Andrew Sather tackle one of the most debated questions in the investing world: Should you drip your money into the market slowly or dump it all in at once? We break down the psychological hurdles of "waiting for the dip," the math behind historical market performance, and why your emotional temperament might be the most important factor in your strategy. Topics Covered: The FOMO Factor: Why waiting for a market crash often leads to missed gains. Math vs. Emotion: Breaking down why lump sum investing statistically wins, but feels terrifying. The "Sleep Well at Night" Strategy: How to determine if dollar-cost averaging is the right move for your personality. Costco & Cash Flow: Lessons from the titans of industry on managing capital. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro: Two sick guys and two sets of background noise. 04:15 – Defining Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA) and Lump Sum Investing. 12:30 – The "Cash Drag" Problem: Why sitting on the sidelines costs you. 22:45 – Case Study: Investing at the peak of 2021 vs. 2022. 31:10 – Andrew’s Take: When to ignore the math and protect your peace. 37:32 – Final Thoughts & Where to start. Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Free monthly budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/ Email Evan: evan@einvestingforbeginners.com Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, financial freedom is built one smart move at a time. Keep it simple, keep it steady, and at any rate, we’ll see you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence: https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFB Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Get your free quote and see how much you could save at SelectQuote.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tue, 14 Apr 2026 - 980 - Part 2 Translating the Corporate "Suit": Your Guide to Q1 Earnings
In Part 2 of our deep dive into earnings calls, Stephen and Andrew translate the weird metaphors Wall Street loves to use. From "headwinds" to the confusing "puts and takes," they decode exactly what CEOs mean. Andrew explains why most Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) destroy shareholder value, while Stephen shares a snowboarding story to illustrate what happens when a company gets "ahead of its skis." What You Will Learn: Weathering the Storm: Headwinds are industry struggles holding a company back (like inflation), while tailwinds are positive forces pushing them forward. "Green shoots" are early signs that a new growth project is working. The M&A Danger Zone: When a CEO has an "appetite for M&A" (buying other companies), be skeptical. Andrew notes that up to 90% of mergers fail to create value, and management often over-promises cost-saving "synergies" to justify overpaying. Getting Ahead of Your Skis: When a company grows too recklessly—like over-hiring before their infrastructure is ready—causing them to eventually crash. Puts and Takes: Corporate speak for "pros and cons" or "additions and subtractions." The Value of Listening: Earnings calls aren't legally audited like a 10-K report, but listening helps you gauge management's tone and catch discrepancies between their talk and their numbers. Timestamps 00:00 - Part 2 of Earnings Call Jargon. 00:11 - Defining "Headwinds and Tailwinds" (The AI semiconductor example). 04:52 - What are "Green Shoots"? 08:00 - The danger of an "Appetite for M&A" (and why 70-90% of mergers fail). 10:03 - The exceptions to the M&A rule: Google buying YouTube and Facebook buying Instagram. 17:31 - Decoding "M&A Synergies" and why they are usually overhyped. 21:02 - What does "Down the Pike" actually mean? 24:48 - "Getting ahead of our skis" (featuring Stephen's painful snowboarding "scorpion" story). 32:52 - The most confusing phrase of all: "Puts and Takes." 39:07 - Final takeaways: Why you actually need to listen to earnings calls. Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence: https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFB Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Get your free quote and see how much you could save at SelectQuote.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Get your free quote and see how much you could save at SelectQuote.com/beginners Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mon, 13 Apr 2026 - 979 - Part 1 Translating the Corporate "Suit": Your Guide to Q1 Earnings
In this back-to-basics episode of the Investing for Beginners podcast, Stephen and Andrew tackle one of the most intimidating hurdles for new stock pickers: Earnings Calls. Wall Street loves to use complex acronyms to make simple concepts sound sophisticated, but the guys are here to translate. They break down the core structure of an earnings call and equip you with the BS-detector you need to cut through the corporate noise. By the end of this episode, you'll be ready to listen to your first earnings call with confidence. Key Takeaways The Anatomy of an Earnings Call: Calls are typically split into two halves: the rosy, pre-written "Prepared Remarks" and the much more revealing "Q&A" section. Andrew shares why he often skips straight to the Q&A to hear the real story. Beware the "Fuzzy" Math: Management loves to use manipulated, invented metrics to make a struggling business look profitable. Stephen and Andrew explain how to see through the smoke and mirrors of these accounting tricks so you don't get fooled by a bad quarter dressed up in fancy jargon. Capital Allocation is Everything: According to Warren Buffett, a CEO's primary job is capital allocation. The guys discuss how to judge a company based on how they spend their cash—whether it's on dividends, buybacks, or physical assets—using real-world examples from Amazon and Target. Protecting the Moat: A truly great company can navigate rising operating costs (like inflation) without crushing its margins. The guys highlight how Texas Roadhouse acts as a masterclass in keeping operations lean even when prices skyrocket. Timestamps 00:41 - Welcome back to the basics: Decoding Wall Street jargon. 02:15 - What are "Prepared Remarks" and why you might want to skip them. 06:37 - Why analysts are always asking for more "Color." 13:38 - Decoding "Outlook and Guidance" (intent vs. projections). 18:26 - The most important topic: Capital Allocation Priorities. 22:42 - Moving into the accounting weeds: What is EBITDA? 25:02 - The danger of EBITDA and invented Non-GAAP metrics (WeWork & Sunrun). 30:54 - What is TAM (Total Addressable Market) and how it limits growth. 33:08 - Understanding OPEX (Operating Expenses). 34:02 - The Texas Roadhouse Masterclass: Beating rising beef prices. 41:34 - What is CapEx (Capital Expenditures)? 42:05 - Good CapEx (Amazon) vs. Bad CapEx (Target's remodels). 45:14 - Final takeaways: Learning by osmosis and overcoming intimidation. Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence: https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFB Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thu, 09 Apr 2026 - 978 - AAR44 - Taxes Nobody Warns You About
In this episode of At Any Rate, Evan and Andrew break down the hidden tax traps that can catch even the most responsible investors off guard. From the brutal reality of self-employment taxes on your side hustle to the surprise tax bill hiding in your High-Yield Savings Account, they discuss the rules you need to know to protect your wealth. They also cover the "wash-sale rule," how 401K withdrawals can bump your tax bracket, and the massive benefits of utilizing a Roth IRA. Topics Covered: The Side Hustle Surprise: Being self-employed means paying both sides of the employment tax (around 15.3%) and requires filing quarterly estimated taxes. HYSA Tax Trap: The interest earned in a High-Yield Savings Account is taxed as ordinary income and is not automatically withheld. The Wash-Sale Rule: You cannot sell a stock for a loss to claim a tax deduction and then immediately buy it (or a similar asset) right back within a 61-day window. 401K Withdrawals: Every dollar pulled from a traditional 401K is taxed as ordinary income, which can unexpectedly push you into a higher tax bracket in retirement. The Roth Advantage: Roth IRAs offer incredible flexibility because you can pull out your contributions at any time without taxes or penalties. However, you must track those contributions yourself. Forgiven Debt is Income: If a loan is forgiven, that forgiven amount is often treated as taxable income by the IRS. Timestamps: 01:39 - Welcome and introduction to the "I did everything right" tax trap. 05:12 - Why Evan and Andrew both use professional tax advisors. 07:36 - Side gigs: Self-employment tax and the truth about deductions. 14:44 - The dirty secret of High-Yield Savings Accounts (HYSA). 19:00 - Taxable investing accounts and capital gains. 20:46 - Andrew explains the "wash-sale rule" for tax-loss harvesting. 27:26 - Why 401K withdrawals can push you into a higher tax bracket. 31:13 - Roth IRA rules: Why you must track your own contributions. 35:25 - 529 Plans and the penalties for non-education withdrawals. 37:52 - Quickfire tax traps: Social Security, unemployment, and forgiven debt. Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Free monthly budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/ Email Evan: evan@einvestingforbeginners.com Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, financial freedom is built one smart move at a time. Keep it simple, keep it steady, and at any rate, we’ll see you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence: https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFB Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Get your free quote and see how much you could save at SelectQuote.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tue, 07 Apr 2026 - 977 - Dividends vs. Buybacks & The Great Tax Deferral Debate
In this episode of the Investing for Beginners podcast, Stephen and Andrew break down the ultimate capital allocation debate: Dividends versus Stock Buybacks. They discuss the mechanics of how retiring shares increases your slice of the pie, why Wall Street treats dividend-paying companies like "boomers," and the hidden dangers of buybacks used to mask executive compensation. Andrew defends the psychology of cash dividends against Warren Buffett’s tax deferral arguments, and the duo run a live stock screener to identify the biggest buyback monsters and dividend growers of the last five years. Key Takeaways A dividend pays cash directly to your brokerage account, while a buyback retires shares, making your remaining percentage of the company more valuable and mathematically increasing Earnings Per Share (EPS). Wall Street currently favors buybacks, often viewing companies that initiate dividends as having reached the end of their growth phase. Some companies use buybacks as their primary wealth-building engine. For example, Marathon Petroleum has aggressively reduced its share count by nearly 15% a year over the last 5 years, driving massive stock appreciation. Timestamps 01:02 - Dividends vs. buybacks debate. 02:57 - How dividends work vs. how buybacks retire shares to increase EPS. 05:41 - The Wall Street stigma: Why paying a dividend is seen as a "boomer" move. 11:53 - The tax deferral argument and Warren Buffett's stance on buybacks. 17:50 - Red flags to watch for: High payout ratios and debt-fueled payouts. 18:39 - The danger of using buybacks to mask stock-based compensation (The Snowflake example). 23:20 - Do you have to choose? Companies that offer both dividends and buybacks. 24:07 - Gun to your head: Andrew chooses dividends to fulfill the ultimate retirement dream of living off the income. 29:13 - Running the stock screener: Surprising dividend growth from Ford. 32:38 - Marathon Petroleum's massive 15% annual share reduction. 35:36 - Stephen's interest in Caterpillar's 30,000-pound EV machines. 41:44 - Why Andrew prefers to invest in management teams that already have a proven track record of returning capital. Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence: https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFB Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Get your free quote and see how much you could save at SelectQuote.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Get your free quote and see how much you could save at SelectQuote.com/beginners Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mon, 06 Apr 2026 - 976 - Debunking Wall Street: Why Common Sense Hurts Your Portfolio
In this episode of the Investing for Beginners podcast, Stephen and Andrew take aim at "common sense" stock market advice that might actually be hurting your portfolio. The guys expose 10 sophisticated-sounding traps that even experienced investors fall into. From the "Pokémon Fallacy" of over-diversification to the dangers of blindly buying the dip, they break down why Wall Street jargon often leads beginners astray. Finally, Stephen shares a powerful military analogy to encourage anyone sitting on the sidelines to buy their very first stock. Key Takeaways Low Share Price Trap: A $5 stock isn't inherently cheaper than a $500 stock. Focus on market cap and valuation. "Missed the Boat" Myth: Don't pass on great companies just because they feel "too big" (e.g., Domino's Pizza's historic run). The Pokémon Fallacy: True diversification isn't just artificially driving up your stock headcount because you "gotta catch 'em all." Averaging Down Danger: Blindly buying the dip is risky; you might just be throwing good money at your past mistakes. Volatility ≠ Risk: Temporary PR issues cause massive volatility, but that doesn't mean the underlying business is broken. Timing the Bottom: Trying to time the exact bottom is a coin flip. Time in the market always beats timing the market. High Yield Trap: A massive dividend yield often just means the stock price plummeted. Look for sustainability instead. P/E Oversimplification: A low Price-to-Earnings ratio doesn't automatically mean a bargain; it could be a value trap. Starting Capital Myth: You don't need thousands to start. Buying your first stock gets the fear out of your system. Timestamps 01:54 - Exposing 10 sophisticated investing traps. 04:06 - Trap 1: The low share price fallacy. 08:34 - Trap 2: The "missed the boat" fallacy. 14:26 - Trap 3: The Pokémon diversification myth. 20:28 - Trap 4: The danger of buying the dip. 24:24 - Trap 5: The Wall Street analyst mirage. 27:21 - Trap 6: Why volatility does not equal risk. 31:54 - Trap 7: The arrogance of timing the bottom. 36:05 - Trap 8: The high yield trap. 38:27 - Trap 9: P/E ratio oversimplification. 41:18 - Trap 10: Assuming past performance equals future results. 47:19 - You don't need thousands of dollars to start. 51:04 - Stephen's gun range analogy for buying your first stock. Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence: https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFB Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Get your free quote and see how much you could save at SelectQuote.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Get your free quote and see how much you could save at SelectQuote.com/beginners Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thu, 02 Apr 2026 - 975 - AAR43 - Your 401k Might Be Holding You Back
In this episode of At Any Rate, Evan and Andrew tackle the sacred cow of personal finance: the 401K. While everyone knows about the amazing tax benefits and the undeniable power of an employer match , the duo discusses how maxing out your 401K could actually be holding you back financially. From the painful reality of having your money locked up until age 59½ , to the restrictive investment options , Evan breaks down why a massive 401K balance doesn't always equal financial freedom. Topics Covered: The Employer Match is King: No matter the downsides, both Evan and Andrew agree that taking full advantage of your company’s 401K match is an absolute must—it is a guaranteed 100% return. The Locked-Up Wealth Trap: Having millions in a 401K sounds great, but if 90% of your net worth is inaccessible without massive penalties, you cannot retire early or easily fund major life events. The Problem with High Limits: The $24,500 contribution limit for 2026 is mathematically out of reach for most average households, making it an unrealistic benchmark for success. The Three-Tier Strategy: Evan shares his personal strategy: hit the employer match in the 401K, pivot to maxing out a Roth IRA for flexibility, and put the rest into a high-yield savings account or HSA. Timestamps: 00:00 - The 10,000-foot view: What is a 401K and what are the major upsides? 05:39 - Downside #1: Your money is locked up until 59½. 10:26 - Downside #2: The contribution limits are unrealistically high for most. 13:18 - Downside #3: Limited investment options (No stock picking!). 15:35 - Evan's personal strategy for managing his 401K and taking advantage of bonus matching. 18:31 - Why a Roth IRA is often a better alternative for flexibility. 24:20 - HSAs and High-Yield Savings Accounts as secondary options. Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Free monthly budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/ Email Evan: evan@einvestingforbeginners.com Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, financial freedom is built one smart move at a time. Keep it simple, keep it steady, and at any rate, we’ll see you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence: https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFB Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Get your free quote and see how much you could save at SelectQuote.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tue, 31 Mar 2026 - 974 - Is the CEO Lying? How to Read a Cash Flow Statement
In this episode of the Investing for Beginners podcast, Stephen and Andrew look beyond the income statement to uncover how healthy a company truly is by diving into the cash flow statement. Along with addressing some hilarious rumors about Andrew's perfectly styled hair, the duo breaks down the nuts and bolts of working capital—including accounts receivable, inventory, and accounts payable. They discuss how to spot red flags like channel stuffing or single-customer reliance, and why companies like Costco and Amazon possess the ultimate "cheat code" of negative working capital. Key Takeaways Revenue Isn't Everything: The cash flow statement tells the real story of a company's financial health, beyond record revenues. Working Capital Basics: The short-term building blocks (cash, inventory, receivables, payables) needed to run a business. Accounts Receivable Red Flags: If receivables outpace revenue growth, it could signal "channel stuffing" or unpaid bills from a major customer. Inventory Pile-Ups: Using Days Inventory Outstanding (DSI) helps spot companies (like Boeing or Microchip) building up unsellable inventory. The Negative Working Capital Cheat Code: Giants like Costco and Amazon bring in cash from customers long before paying vendors, creating free financing for growth. Context Matters: A high PE ratio or a slow cash conversion cycle might be perfectly fine depending on the specific industry context. Timestamps 01:51 - Why the cash flow statement is more important than the income statement. 05:08 - Defining working capital and why the cash gap exists. 11:20 - Red flags in accounts receivable and single-customer reliance. 18:52 - Why an unseasonal spike in inventory is dangerous. 23:42 - Using Days Inventory Outstanding (DSI) to track Boeing and Microchip. 27:36 - How Amazon and Costco operate with negative working capital. 34:44 - The Cash Conversion Cycle: Coke vs. Pepsi and Target vs. Walmart. 38:22 - Stephen's rant: Why the fluidity of financial metrics is frustrating. Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence: https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFB Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Get your free quote and see how much you could save at SelectQuote.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Get your free quote and see how much you could save at SelectQuote.com/beginners Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mon, 30 Mar 2026 - 973 - Ferrari's Pricing Power Personified & The Chutzpah of Scarcity
In this episode of the Investing for Beginners podcast, Stephen and Andrew dive into the fascinating business model of Ferrari, arguing that it operates more like a luxury lifestyle conglomerate than a traditional automaker. They contrast Ferrari's strategy of prioritizing value over volume against the traditional auto industry's "race to the bottom". By digging into Ferrari's 20-F, they unpack the company's record-high operating margins, absolute pricing power, and why a staggering amount of their revenue comes just from customizing the cars. Finally, the duo debates the upcoming release of Ferrari's first fully electric supercar and whether a quiet engine will hurt the brand's legendary allure. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Because Ferrari is a foreign company traded in the US, investors need to look for their 20-F form instead of a standard 10-K Ferrari shipped fewer cars in 2025 (13,640 units) than in 2024, yet total revenue still grew by 7% to $7.1 billion A staggering 20% of Ferrari's total revenue comes purely from custom paint, bespoke stitching, and unique interior materials When a company's sales volume drops but its total revenue still goes up, it is a textbook indicator of supreme pricing power Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction and pre-show lighting adjustments. 01:52 - Welcome: Why Ferrari is a Rolex with a V12 engine. 02:37 - Navigating the 20-F: Finding foreign company filings. 04:45 - The automaker race to the bottom vs. Ferrari's scarcity model. 11:04 - Comparing operating margins: Ferrari vs. Tesla, GM, and Ford. 13:06 - Breaking down units sold, revenue, and custom paint. 17:41 - Defining pricing power and long-term compounding. 23:25 - Ferrari's impressive ROIC and 5-year revenue growth. 24:29 - Analyzing Ferrari's premium P/E ratio (34 to 36). 29:38 - The ultimate test: Ferrari's first fully electric supercar in May. 40:33 - Stephen and Andrew's all-time favorite luxury cars. Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence: https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFB Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Get your free quote and see how much you could save at SelectQuote.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Get your free quote and see how much you could save at SelectQuote.com/beginners Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thu, 26 Mar 2026 - 972 - AAR42 - College Scholarships 101
In this episode of At Any Rate, Evan Raidt and Andrew Sather dive into college financial aid. They cover the crucial differences between scholarships, grants, and fellowships—highlighting that they offer tax-advantaged money you don't need to pay back. Evan shares how he graduated debt-free by leveraging the UCF Provost and Florida Bright Futures scholarships, while Andrew reflects on his own high school experience. They also discuss why filing the FAFSA is non-negotiable, the "throw spaghetti at the wall" application method, and the power of automated 529 savings accounts. Topics Covered: Filing the FAFSA is the best initial step to access hundreds of financial aid opportunities. Apply for everything. Do not self-reject. Grades are a vital tool to help you stand out and qualify for awards. Ensure any loan payments will keep you below 20% of your conservative expected entry-level income. For parents, 529 savings accounts allow college funds to compound and be spent entirely tax-free. Timestamps: 00:00 - College Scholarships 01:25 - Differences between Scholarships, Grants, and Fellowships 04:21 - Why the FAFSA is the starting point for free money 06:06 - The "spaghetti on the wall" mindset for applying 12:34 - Advice for parents: How to motivate teens 17:38 - Why a solid baseline GPA is vital 19:20 - Evan's story: The UCF Provost and Bright Futures scholarships 27:16 - Responsibly evaluating student loans 28:59 - Parent cheat code: Tax-free compounding with a 529 Account 34:07 - Episode wrap-up and contact info Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Free monthly budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/ Email Evan: evan@einvestingforbeginners.com Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, financial freedom is built one smart move at a time. Keep it simple, keep it steady, and at any rate, we’ll see you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence: https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFB Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Get your free quote and see how much you could save at SelectQuote.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tue, 24 Mar 2026 - 971 - How the Crisis in Iran Could Spark the Next Financial Revolution
In this episode of the Investing for Beginners podcast, Andrew and Stephen tackle the massive macroeconomic shifts happening right now due to the ongoing conflict in Iran. With the Strait of Hormuz blocked, the global flow of oil and liquid natural gas has been severely choked, causing energy prices to skyrocket—not just at the pump here in the US, but even more drastically across Europe and Asia. But what does this mean for the US Dollar, and how does a global crisis create a "vacuum effect" that sucks liquidity out of other nations? In This Episode, You’ll Learn: How the conflict in Iran and the blockading of the Strait of Hormuz is impacting global energy supplies. Why the US Dollar acts as a safe haven during a global crisis. Stephen shares his first-hand experience witnessing the economic devastation in Greece. Timestamps 00:00 - The impact of the war in Iran on global gas prices 11:15 - Why Europe and Asia feel the energy squeeze harder than the US 14:04 - Why Wall Street has been slow to react to the blockading of the Strait of Hormuz 17:10 - The "Dollar Milkshake Theory" 22:52 - Why energy demands equal dollar demands 25:42 - Stephen's experience witnessing the currency crisis in Greece 36:26 - TStablecoins: What are they and how do they solve currency devaluation? 46:19 - The hurdles of mass digital adoption 55:19 - Deep dive into Circle (USDC) Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence: https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFB Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Get your free quote and see how much you could save at SelectQuote.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Get your free quote and see how much you could save at SelectQuote.com/beginners Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mon, 23 Mar 2026 - 970 - The Traits of Elite Investors with Lee Freeman-Shor
What separates the world’s greatest investors from the rest? In this episode of the Investing for Beginners podcast, Andrew sits down with Lee Freeman-Shor, former fund manager and author of The Art of Execution and the hotly anticipated follow-up, Stock Market Maestros. Lee shares his fascinating experience managing over 100 top fund managers and reveals a shocking truth: even the best investors in the world only get their stock picks right about 49% of the time. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: The 49% Reality Check The Losers (How to handle falling stocks) The Winners (How to handle rising stocks) Know Thyself Timestamps 00:46 - Lee's background managing the "Best Ideas" fund. 02:12 - The shocking truth: Even billionaire investors are only right 49% of the time. 09:24 - The Five Tribes of Investing: How people behave when winning and losing. 24:35 - Why Lee wrote Stock Market Maestros. 32:32 - Do elite investors ever break their own rules? (The importance of self-awareness). 35:00 - The quirky habits of top managers (Walking in the woods, Dirty Harry pop-ups). 39:56 - Lee's final takeaway for beginner investors: Execution matters more than stock picking. Resources Mentioned Stock Market Maestros: The Winning Habits, Strategies, and Mindsets of the World's Best Investors by Lee Freeman-Shor and Clare Flynn Levy https://a.co/d/0aOWaRd4 The Art of Execution: How the World's Best Investors Get It Wrong and Still Make Millions by Lee Freeman-Shor https://a.co/d/0hoLjtPu Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence: https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFB Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Get your free quote and see how much you could save at SelectQuote.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Get your free quote and see how much you could save at SelectQuote.com/beginners Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thu, 19 Mar 2026 - 969 - AAR41 - Listener Q&A: DIY Investing vs. Wealth Managers?
In this episode of At Any Rate, Evan Raidt and Andrew Sather dive into a fantastic listener question from Joey. Joey asks a common but critical question: if a standard market ETF averages 10% a year, but a wealth manager can get you 16% for a 1% fee, shouldn't you just hire the professional? Topics Covered: The Reality of 16% Returns: Andrew explains why finding a manager who can consistently beat the market by that much, decade after decade, is incredibly rare. Evan's Wealth Manager Experience: Evan shares his two-and-a-half-year experience using an Edward Jones wealth manager and why the transparency and simplicity of ETFs ultimately won him over. Timestamps: 01:09 - Intro & getting the episode kicked off. 02:26 - Listener Q&A: Joey asks if a wealth manager is better than DIY investing. 04:04 - The SPIVA Report: Why roughly 90% of active managers fail to beat the market. 07:22 - Is a consistent 16% return from a wealth manager actually realistic? 18:25 - How to get over the overwhelming feeling of starting your DIY investing journey. 26:34 - Why ETFs offer the best balance of low effort and high statistical probability of winning. 33:25 - What to expect in the short term versus the long-term "snowball" effect. 41:25 - Final thoughts and episode outro. Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Free monthly budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/ Email Evan: evan@einvestingforbeginners.com Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, financial freedom is built one smart move at a time. Keep it simple, keep it steady, and at any rate, we’ll see you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence: https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFB Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Get your free quote and see how much you could save at SelectQuote.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tue, 17 Mar 2026 - 968 - Listener Q&A: Should You Adjust Your WACC for Inflation?
In this episode, Andrew and Stephen get into the financial weeds to answer a great listener question from passaro94 about how inflation actually impacts a company's value. We break down the macroeconomic side of investing—explaining exactly what the Federal Reserve does, the critical differences between inflation and deflation, and how the best businesses account for these economic shifts using pricing power. Finally, we take it a step further and explain how to practically tie inflation into your WACC (Weighted Average Cost of Capital) and DCF (Discounted Cash Flow) calculations so you can accurately value stocks no matter what the economy is doing. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: What the Federal Reserve actually does and why it matters to everyday investors. The difference between inflation and deflation. How businesses use pricing power to survive (and thrive) during inflation. How to properly factor inflation into your Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) models. Timestamps 00:00 - Intro & getting into the financial weeds 04:30 - Listener Q&A: passaro94 asks about adjusting WACC for inflation 12:15 - What does the Federal Reserve actually do? 21:00 - Inflation vs. Deflation: What beginners need to know 28:45 - How businesses survive inflation using pricing power 36:20 - Tying inflation into your WACC and DCF valuation models 43:30 - Final thoughts Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence: https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFB Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Get your free quote and see how much you could save at SelectQuote.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Get your free quote and see how much you could save at SelectQuote.com/beginners Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mon, 16 Mar 2026 - 967 - The New Cola Wars
If you watched the Super Bowl, you probably saw the commercial where the Coca-Cola polar bear did a blind taste test, picked Pepsi, and had to go to therapy. It was hilarious, but what a lot of people don't realize is that is exactly how the original Cola Wars started back in 1975! Today, Stephen and Andrew dive into the economics of company rivalries. From Coke vs. Pepsi to Costco vs. Sam’s Club and Starbucks vs. Dunkin', we break down the numbers to see who actually comes out on top—and how researching a competitor is the ultimate cheat code for understanding the stock you actually want to buy. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: The Original Cola Wars: A quick history of the 1970s battle between Coke and Pepsi, and what investors can learn from their aggressive marketing tactics. The Economics of Rivalry: How to look at the financials of two competing giants to see who actually holds the market advantage. The Ultimate Cheat Code: Why researching a company's biggest competitor gives you the best, unbiased data on the stock you actually want to invest in. Timestamps 04:47 - Pepsi’s Massive Revenue vs. Coke’s Profit Margins 11:06 - Why Revenue is Vanity and Profit is Sanity 12:25 - Comparing Completely Different Business Models 17:14 - Starbucks’ Sinking Margins 29:30 - Why 65% of Costco’s Profit is Subscriptions 36:00 - Does Costco Have the Ultimate Economic Moat? Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence: https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFB Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Get your free quote and see how much you could save at SelectQuote.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Get your free quote and see how much you could save at SelectQuote.com/beginners Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thu, 12 Mar 2026 - 966 - AAR40 - From Navigating Debt to Long-Term Wealth with Stephen Morris
In this episode, Evan Raidt welcomes Stephen Morris, the new co-host of the Investing for Beginners podcast. Stephen opens up about his unique personal finance journey, from experiencing early financial trauma. They discuss why his nuanced take on Dave Ramsey, and why he completely abandoned the high-stress world of day trading in favor of long-term, "chill" investing. Topics Covered: Stephen’s childhood financial awakening and how it shaped his lifelong aversion to bad debt. A nuanced take on Dave Ramsey's teachings and knowing your own discipline. Why true wealth is defined by freedom, time, and family security. The brutal 11-hour days and intense stress of day trading. The power of getting over your fear and buying your very first stock. Timestamps: 01:42 Stephen's First Financial Awakening 04:42 The Military Bonus and Financial Regrets 07:29 Re-evaluating Debt and Dave Ramsey 12:33 Bringing Anti-Wall Street Bully Values to IFB 15:13 Defining Wealth as Freedom and Security 19:24 Why Long-Term Investing is "Chill" Investing 23:21 Leaving the Stress of Day Trading Behind 29:29 The Importance of Buying Your First Stock Resources Mentioned The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Free monthly budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/ Email Evan: evan@einvestingforbeginners.com Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, financial freedom is built one smart move at a time. Keep it simple, keep it steady, and at any rate, we’ll see you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence: https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFB Upgrade your wardrobe with Quince to get high-quality, luxury essentials at a fraction of the cost by visiting https://quince.com/beginners Get your free quote and see how much you could save at SelectQuote.com/beginners Turn your passion into profit, connect directly with eager buyers, and grow your business by hosting live, interactive auctions at https://whatnot.com/sell Supercharge your productivity and automate your daily tasks by building custom AI agents in your all-in-one workspace at https://notion.com/investing Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tue, 10 Mar 2026
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