The August jobs report shocked economists: just 22,000 jobs were added, pushing unemployment to 4.3%. Investors rushed into bonds, Treasury yields dropped to three-year lows, and whispers of falling mortgage rates grew louder. In this First Friday economic update, Paula Pant breaks down: Why the August jobs report rattled markets. How lower Treasury […]
Author: Paula Pant
#639: Q&A: How to Invest in Your Community (by Finding the Third Option)
Lesley is attracted to community bonds as a way to build collective wealth for the underserved. But do the same risks exist as they do in the traditional bond market?
Aisha is excited to share how some life-changing advice has played out for her career. She wonders now: what limiting beliefs has Paula and Joe […]
[GREATEST HITS] James Clear: How Small Daily Actions Compound Into Life-Changing Wealth [RERUN]
Fifty dollars. That’s how much this couple transferred to their “Trip to Europe” savings account each time they cooked dinner instead of going to a restaurant.
By year’s end, they had funded their dream vacation — not through strict budgeting or sheer willpower, but by creating habits that worked for […]
#637: Q&A: Can You Open an IRA for Someone Else’s Kid? (And Should You?)
Nick wants to set up an investment account for his nephew to contribute annually, creating a nest egg for college since the parents are already opening a 529 account. He’s unsure whether a standard brokerage account, IRA or other options work best when you’re not the parent.
Diana asks whether she needs TIPS in her […]
#636: How to Talk to Your Parents About Money, with Behavioral Economist Etinosa Agbonlahor
Struggling with money conversations at home? Discover the hidden “money scripts” that derail family finances with Behavioral Economist Etinosa Agbonlahor.
Agbonlahor, CEO of Decision Alpha and former Director of Behavioral Science Research at Fidelity Investments, is the author of “How to Talk to Your Parents About Money.”
She studied financial management at Cornell […]
The 7 Types of Entrepreneurs (You’re Probably One of Them)
We cover five pillars: Financial psychology, Increasing your income, Investing, Real estate, and Entrepreneurship. It’s double-ii FiiRE.
Today, we’re diving into Pillar Five: Entrepreneurship.
Pillar V | Entrepreneurship
Earlier this month, we covered the first four pillars in this newsletter.
But it wasn’t until Friday that we published our long-awaited interview with Lori Rosenkopf, the Vice Dean of […]
Your Friend’s Housing Crash Advice Is Wrong. Here’s Why
We cover five pillars: Financial psychology, Increasing your income, Investing, Real estate, and Entrepreneurship. It’s double-ii FIIRE.
Today, we’re diving into Pillar Four: Real Estate.
Pillar IV | Real Estate
Whew. Welp. Where do I begin?
Over the last five years, home prices nationwide have grown at an annualized rate of 8.67 percent, according to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Home Price Index.
If […]
The Three T’s Every Investor Needs Right Now
We cover five pillars: Financial psychology, Increasing your income, Investing, Real estate, and Entrepreneurship. It’s double-ii FIIRE.
Today, we’re diving into Pillar Three: Investing.
Pillar III | Investing
This letter “I” could very well be called the letter T right now — tariffs, trade war, and turbulence.
Tariff increases went into effect earlier this month, and the markets treated it like old news. […]
#635: Q&A: Gold vs. Stocks – and Why Inflation Panic Makes You Poor
Arielle’s head is spinning from the seemingly contradictory advice she hears about the best investments to hedge against inflation and a possible recession. What’s she missing?
Dave is curious about private investments after listening to a recent First Friday episode. What are they, and should he consider them for his portfolio?
Abbey is stoked about the raise she negotiated for her first job out of school. But she’s worried about liability risk related to her new position. How does she protect herself?
Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these three questions in today’s episode.
Want a raise by this time next year?
We cover five pillars: Financial psychology, Increasing your income, Investing, Real estate, and Entrepreneurship. It’s double-ii FiiRE.
Today, we’re diving into pillar two: increasing your income.
Pillar II | Increasing Your Income
Imagine this: You’ve been spending weeks, maybe months, looking for a new job.
You’ve updated your LinkedIn. You’ve refreshed your resume.
You’ve contacted every […]
