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The Investing for Beginners Podcast - Your Path to Financial Freedom
The Investing for Beginners Podcast - Your Path to Financial Freedom
Author: By Andrew Sather and Dave Ahern | Stock Market Guide to Buying Stocks like
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Description
We make the complicated stock market simple. We show you how to take advantage of the emotions in the market with lessons from successful strategies such as value investing and dividend growth investing, with a few elements of growth investing and trend following.
654 Episodes
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Want to help us make the Investing for Beginners Podcast even better? Take our quick listener survey at https://einvestingforbeginners.com/podsurvey and you’ll be entered to win a $500 Amazon gift card next month. Bonus: the first 100 respondents also get free IFB swag.
In this episode of At Any Rate, Evan Raidt and Dave Ahern break down the basics of wills—what they are, why they matter, and how they can save your loved ones months of stress if something unexpected happens. Dave shares why he set up his will after a health scare, plus a real story from his banking days that shows how messy things can get when someone passes without a plan.
They also walk through practical options for creating a will, why you should keep beneficiaries updated on your accounts, and how to store and share your documents so your family can actually find them when it counts.
Topics Covered:
What a will actually does
The real-world mess that happens when someone dies without a will
How to get a will
Storage & access
The 3 tiers
Timestamps:
00:00 Why this “boring” topic matters
01:45 Why Dave got a will (health scare)
02:33 What a will is & what it covers
04:41 Why wills prevent confusion and family conflict
06:40 Real story
09:05 Why this is about protecting your loved ones (not you)
11:15 Leaving money to a charity
12:50 Where to get a will: DIY, attorney, or LegalZoom
15:35 The “bare minimum” step
17:55 What banks may require
20:40 How to store your will safely
24:30 The 3 tiers explained
Resources Mentioned
Free monthly budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/
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
Go to auraframes.com and use promo code BEGINNERS at checkout to get $35 off https://auraframes.com/
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
Want to help us make the Investing for Beginners Podcast even better? Take our quick listener survey at https://einvestingforbeginners.com/podsurvey and you’ll be entered to win a $500 Amazon gift card next month. Bonus: the first 100 respondents also get free IFB swag.
In this first episode of 2026, Dave and Andrew revisit The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham and explain why it’s still worth your time—even if some parts feel dated. They break down the timeless principles Buffett has praised for decades, especially the ideas that help you stay rational when the market (and your emotions) get loud.
They also get practical: what “investing vs. speculating” actually means, how to learn a business if you’re serious about picking stocks, and why inflation quietly erodes your buying power.
Key Topics Covered:
Why The Intelligent Investor still matters (and why Buffett points to Chapters 8 and 20)
Investing vs. speculating
How to learn a business (10-Ks + Investor Relations) and why reading matters
Inflation: how it erodes buying power and affects investors and businesses
Mr. Market & margin of safety:
Timestamps:
00:33 – Why The Intelligent Investor is still timeless
01:38 – Why it’s a “foundation book” for mindset and emotional control
02:32 – Investing vs. speculating
03:48 – Analysis/business = investing; price movement = speculating
06:21 – How to learn a business
08:12 – Investor Relations pages
08:41 – If you don’t like reading
09:22 – Index funds/ETFs as a legit alternative
11:35 – Inflation basics
14:15 – Risk/return ladder
16:11 – Inflation’s “double-edged sword” for businesses (revenue vs margins)
19:01 – Pricing power example
21:36 – Declines are normal and volatility is part of the game
25:33 – Mr. Market explained
33:34 – Margin of safety
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
Go to auraframes.com and use promo code BEGINNERS at checkout to get $35 off https://auraframes.com/
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
Want to help us make the Investing for Beginners Podcast even better? Take our quick listener survey at https://einvestingforbeginners.com/podsurvey and you’ll be entered to win a $500 Amazon gift card next month. Bonus: the first 100 respondents also get free IFB swag.
In this episode, Dave and Andrew run through a 2025 stock market year-in-review, using the “Spotify Wrapped” idea as the framing device. They cover how the major indexes performed, why the year felt weird depending on where you were invested, and how the AI boom shaped returns across the market.
They also dig into the investing psychology behind FOMO, chasing winners, and dealing with volatility—especially when the broader market is up but your portfolio (or specific holdings) might be down big.
Key Topics Covered:
2025 market returns (S&P 500, NASDAQ, Dow) and what they imply going forward
The AI boom, NVIDIA’s dominance, and the “you might be early” lesson from the dot-com era
Sector winners and why energy/infrastructure matters for AI
FOMO, chasing top performers, and how to approach cyclical industries
Volatility, expectations, and what to do when a stock is down big
Timestamps:
00:19 – Intro: 2025 stock market year in review
01:07 – Index performance
02:48 – The big themes of 2025: AI boom + profitability questions
04:18 – Should you buy NVIDIA now?
07:35 – Getting AI exposure without owning NVIDIA
11:57 – Sector winners
14:11 – Stocks that doubled
19:16 – How to handle cyclicals
21:20 – Normalizing margins to value cyclical businesses
24:10 – Volatility “panic attacks” and why zooming out matters
29:27 – What to do when a stock is down big: fundamentals first
38:30 – Podcast Spotify Wrapped: 3M minutes listened
41:29 – Wrap-up: see you in 2026
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
Go to auraframes.com and use promo code BEGINNERS at checkout to get $35 off https://auraframes.com/
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
You can download Evan’s free monthly budgeting spreadsheet here: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/
In this episode of At Any Rate, Evan Raidt is joined by Andrew Sather to talk about something most investors don’t realize is shaping their decisions: the market environment you “grew up” in. Andrew shares what it was like starting to invest in 2012 in the shadow of the Great Financial Crisis—when fear was high, bonds were still considered “prudent,” and energy stocks dominated the conversation.
Together, they break down the pros and cons of starting in an up market, down market, or flat market, how recency bias and herd mentality mess with your judgment, and why the best antidote is simple: more education, consistency, and automation.
Topics Covered:
How your “starting market” imprints your investing mindset (up, down, or flat)
Andrew’s 2012 investing experience vs. Evan’s late-2021 experience
Recency bias, herd mentality, and why fear/greed can flip your decisions
Practical ways to stay grounded: education, consistency, and automation
Avoiding “next big thing” FOMO (AI hype, NVIDIA chasing, Buffett comparisons)
Timestamps:
00:00 Why your investing “timeline” matters
01:03 Andrew’s first stock purchase
02:35 Post-GFC mindset
04:30 2012 market vibe
05:30 Why Andrew stayed frugal but kept investing
07:05 Evan’s late-2021 start
08:35 “This is easy” mindset—and the warning from a mentor
10:25 The moment it flipped
13:45 Three market “start” scenarios
16:05 Down-market cons
18:30 Greedy vs. fearful
24:50 Practical takeaways
29:15 Andrew’s advice for new investors today
33:00 Closing
Resources Mentioned:
Free monthly budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/
Email the team: equity@einvestingforbeginners.com
Email Evan: evan@einvestingforbeginners.com
Have questions for Evan or Andrew about getting started (or staying consistent no matter what the market’s doing)? Comment below or email Evan—he’d love to hear from you.
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
Go to auraframes.com and use promo code BEGINNERS at checkout to get $35 off https://auraframes.com/
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
Want to go deeper on real companies with simple, long-term investing guidance? Subscribe to the Value Spotlight Newsletter, where Dave and Andrew share stock ideas, valuations, and lessons from real businesses straight to your inbox.
In this episode of Financials Demystified, Andrew and Dave continue working down the balance sheet by breaking down current liabilities—what they are, why they matter, and what they can reveal about how a business funds operations in the short term.
They also connect current liabilities to working capital management, showing how things like accounts payable and deferred revenue can impact cash flow and business quality. To make it practical, they use examples like Campbell’s, Adobe, GameStop, and Netflix—highlighting how the same “category” can look totally different depending on the business model.
Key Topics Covered:
What current liabilities are
Accounts payable and what it reveals about working capital and cash flow
Common current liability line items
Deferred revenue (why it’s a “liability” that can actually be a positive)
Days payable outstanding & the working capital cycle
Timestamps:
00:00:15 – Financials Demystified continues
00:00:48 – Definition: current liabilities
00:01:38 – What current liabilities can reveal
00:04:39 – Example: Short-term borrowings, dividends payable, taxes payable
00:08:13 – Deferred revenue: what it is and why it’s not like “real” debt
00:11:28 – Netflix deferred revenue “weird tidbit”
00:13:32 – Income taxes payable
00:17:20 – DPO formula
00:20:24 – Working capital cycle formula
00:35:46 – Wrap-up
Resources Mentioned:
The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/
Blog post: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/free-cash-flow-yield-daah/
Infographic: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7406343606875140096?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAD4eKMMBf-41eiJkuqE7j8nT8vhR0cxiYKE
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
Go to auraframes.com and use promo code BEGINNERS at checkout to get $35 off https://auraframes.com/
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
Want to go deeper on real companies with simple, long-term investing guidance? Subscribe to the Value Spotlight Newsletter, where Dave and Andrew share stock ideas, valuations, and lessons from real businesses straight to your inbox.
In this Christmas Day episode, Dave and Andrew play a fun “Santa wishlist” game: what stocks (and even a couple private companies) would they love to see under the tree—if the price was right. These are high-quality businesses they admire, but most are too expensive at today’s valuations, so they’re watching and waiting.
They run through a mix of consumer brands, software, finance/data businesses, industrial compounders, and a few “wish it were public” names. Along the way, they talk through what makes each company attractive (growth, margins, moats, culture, capital allocation) and what would need to change for them to buy.
Key Topics Covered:
“Santa wishlist” investing: great companies, wrong price (for now)
Growth vs. valuation: waiting for quality to become “buyable”
Moats and execution: why some businesses keep winning
Capital-light compounders: margins, cash flow, and pricing power
Private-company dream picks + what an IPO could mean
Timestamps:
00:00 – Stocks Santa should bring us”
03:08 – MercadoLibre (LATAM leader, 30%+ growth, pricey)
06:29 – Wingstop (franchise scale story, valuation still rich)
09:31 – Intuit (QuickBooks, elite margins, always expensive)
11:28 – Cadence (semiconductor design software “industry standard”)
16:05 – Fastenal (steady industrial compounder, valuation stays high)
18:45 – FICO (credit score moat + regulatory/competition risk)
30:04 – Old Dominion Freight Line (LTL leader, cyclical but elite)
39:11 –Reddit (attention + monetization potential, “lottery ticket”)
46:07 – Wrap-up
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
Go to auraframes.com and use promo code BEGINNERS at checkout to get $35 off https://auraframes.com/
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
You can download Evan’s free monthly budgeting spreadsheet here: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/
In this episode of At Any Rate, Evan Raidt walks through the exact system he uses to track his personal financial progress—without obsessing over every transaction or living on extreme “never spend money” rules. Over the past few years, Evan has nearly quadrupled his net worth using boring (but powerful) fundamentals: consistent saving, simple investing accounts, and heavy automation.
Evan breaks down his monthly financial check-ins, how he reviews whether he actually stuck to his budget, and how he tracks net worth over time using a simple spreadsheet. He also explains what he includes in net worth (including the controversial stuff like car value and home equity), why tracking trends matters more than a single number, and how a quick monthly update can help you catch problems early and stay motivated.
Topics Covered:
Why tracking financial progress is motivating
Monthly financial check-ins
Evan’s automation-first approach
Building a simple net worth tracker
Why Evan includes car value & home equity in net worth
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:30 Evan’s results & why “boring” fundamentals work
02:30 Free budget sheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/
04:55 Why tracking progress matters
09:40 The two-part system
12:35 Monthly budget check-in
14:10 Automation approach
15:10 Setting up a net worth spreadsheet
18:20 Including car value & home equity (and why Evan does it)
20:40 Tracking debt as negative values
24:00 Graphing net worth over time
27:05 Closing
Resources Mentioned:
Free monthly budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/
Email Evan: evan@einvestingforbeginners.com
Have feedback on the solo episodes (good or bad) or want Evan to share a simpler version of his net worth tracker? Comment below or email him—he’d love to hear from you.
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
Go to auraframes.com and use promo code BEGINNERS at checkout to get $35 off https://auraframes.com/
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
Want to go deeper on real companies with simple, long-term investing guidance? Subscribe to the Value Spotlight Newsletter, where Dave and Andrew share stock ideas, valuations, and lessons from real businesses straight to your inbox.
In this episode, Dave and Andrew welcome Tobias Carlisle—Principal and CIO at Acquirers Funds and co-host of the Value After Hours podcast—to discuss his book The Soldier of Fortune: Warren Buffett, Sun Tzu, and the Ancient Art of Risk Taking.
The conversation centers on one big theme: avoiding ruin. Tobias explains why “survive first” is the foundation of long-term compounding, how Buffett’s discipline shows up in what he doesn’t do, and why frameworks, selectivity, and understanding conditions matter as much as valuation math.
Key Topics Covered:
Who Sun Tzu was (and why the text stands on its own)
Defensive investing first: debt, fragile business models, and position sizing
Wu-wei / effortless success and investing with tailwinds vs. headwinds
Moral law, reputation, and why honesty matters in management
Via negativa / inversion: avoiding dumb mistakes vs. trying to be brilliant
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro
01:16 – Who Sun Tzu was
05:18 – Why The Art of War clicked in 2020
06:11 – Ergodicity: why avoiding ruin matters more than “winning”
12:41 – Seasons, cycles, and tailwinds
15:11 – Buffett’s discipline in COVID
21:21 – Munger’s influence
29:48 – Derivatives as “weapons of mass destruction”
32:15 – What Buffett doesn’t do
35:02 – Avoiding bad actors
38:15 – “Don’t go where you’ll die”
40:10 – Codifying management analysis
41:48 – Why small/value matters
46:12 – ZIG and DEEP
47:05 – Sign-off
Resources Mentioned:
The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/
Acquirers Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/4XKvjmFiZLxWZ58vBfT4v9?si=81f548cf76d94325
The Soldier of Fortune (book): https://a.co/d/ib7E08v
Acquirers Funds: https://acquirersfund.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:
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
Go to auraframes.com and use promo code BEGINNERS at checkout to get $35 off https://auraframes.com/
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
Want to go deeper on real companies with simple, long-term investing guidance? Subscribe to the Value Spotlight Newsletter, where Dave and Andrew share stock ideas, valuations, and lessons from real businesses straight to your inbox.
In this episode, Dave and Andrew share a practical “back to basics” starter guide for new investors—focusing on the foundational decisions that matter before you ever pick a stock.
They also cover the big beginner considerations—time horizon, risk tolerance, and fees—plus the most common starting paths like ETFs/index funds, 401(k)s (especially if there’s a match), robo-advisors, and eventually individual stocks. The throughline is simple: start small, stay consistent, and don’t interrupt compounding.
Key Topics Covered:
Start with your “why” so you don’t quit when motivation fades
Think long-term: volatility is normal, time horizon is everything
Risk tolerance matters more than “the perfect pick”
Fees quietly destroy compounding (and add up fast)
Simple starting paths: ETFs/index funds, 401(k) match, and easing into individual stocks
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro
01:55 – Why invest: savings accounts vs. stock market returns + inflation
04:34 – Lifestyle inflation
05:24 – Compounding
07:16 – Volatility short-term vs. growth long-term
09:01 – Risk tolerance
11:36 – Don’t chase returns
12:24 – The “hole in the boat” that kills compounding
15:39 – Open a brokerage account (it’s easier than ever)
19:13 – 401(k) match: “free money”
20:45 – Robo-advisors: convenience vs. control
27:24 – Best time to start
29:08 – “Stock market is a casino” fear
32:42 – Final push
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
Go to auraframes.com and use promo code BEGINNERS at checkout to get $35 off https://auraframes.com/
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
You can download Evan’s free monthly budgeting spreadsheet here:https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/
In this episode of At Any Rate, Evan Raidt sits down with Sean Tepper, CEO and founder of TYKR, a platform designed to simplify stock analysis and help everyday investors buy and sell with more confidence.
Sean shares how the 2008 crash became his wake-up call, why most beginners get stuck in analysis paralysis, and how TYKR’s “traffic light” system turns a mountain of data into a simple signal: on sale, watch, or overpriced.
Sean also breaks down the “4M Confidence Booster” (math, meaning, moat, management), what signals can help you decide when to sell, and why long-term wealth is built by staying disciplined—especially when the market gets volatile.
Topics Covered:
The traffic light system: on sale (green), watch (gray), overpriced (red)
Why analysis paralysis stops new investors from taking action
The “$100 a week” investing mindset and consistency over time
Reducing risk with the 4M framework: math, meaning, moat, management
Individual stocks vs. index funds/ETFs depending on your timeline
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro: Evan welcomes Sean Tepper
02:12 From investing frustration to building TYKR
02:56 The “traffic light” concept: simplify 100 data points into a decision
05:00 Analysis paralysis and why beginners freeze
07:00 From Excel stock analysis to software
08:30 Investing vs. trading (and why trading usually loses)
12:17 Treat investing like a “mandatory bill”
15:06 The 4M Confidence Booster: math, meaning, moat, management
20:16 Wealth building (10–15 stocks) vs. wealth protection (funds near retirement)
22:34 Dividend strategy in retirement
24:05 “Easy things get complicated” + staying disciplined
25:29 Why “never skip a month” matters (especially in volatility)
28:58 Recency bias vs. long-term market history
32:02 Where to find Sean + closing
Resources Mentioned:
TYKR (T-Y-K-R): https://tykr.com/
Free monthly budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/
Email Evan: evan@einvestingforbeginners.com
Have feedback or ideas for Evan? Comment below or email him at evan@einvestingforbeginners.com—your suggestions help shape future episodes.
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.
Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence: https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFB
Go to auraframes.com and use promo code BEGINNERS at checkout to get $35 off
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
Want to go deeper on real companies with simple, long-term investing guidance? Subscribe to the Value Spotlight Newsletter, where Dave and Andrew share stock ideas, valuations, and lessons from real businesses straight to your inbox.
In this episode, Dave and Andrew break down the latest earnings from top SaaS and discount retail companies—Snowflake, MongoDB, Salesforce, CrowdStrike, Dollar Tree, and Five Below. They dig into cloud migration trends, SaaS valuation metrics like the Rule of 40, stock-based compensation, and the impact of economic shifts on discount retailers.
Key Topics Covered:
Snowflake, MongoDB, Salesforce, CrowdStrike, Dollar Tree, Five Below earnings
Cloud migration and SaaS business models
Rule of 40 and SaaS valuation
Discount retailers’ performance in the current economy
How to avoid chasing hot industries
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro: episode overview and earnings call focus
00:00:48 – SaaS breakdown: Snowflake, MongoDB, CrowdStrike, Salesforce
00:01:21 – Snowflake’s earnings and cloud migration
00:03:24 – Data growth and Snowflake’s niche
00:04:27 – Stock performance and IPO context
00:06:01 – Salesforce: revenue, margins, CRPO
00:07:04 – Rule of 40 explained
00:08:00 – Salesforce’s AI products
00:09:51 – Acquisitions to profitability
00:12:03 – Management credibility and strategy
00:13:45 – Stock-based compensation
00:15:01 – MongoDB’s cloud shift and AI
00:18:35 – Growth, profitability, sector momentum
00:20:07 – CrowdStrike earnings and ARR
00:22:03 – CrowdStrike’s modules and platform
00:24:37 – Retail: Dollar Tree, Dollar General, Five Below
00:26:09 – Discount retailer performance
00:29:41 – Dollar General, tariffs
00:31:35 – Five Below’s growth and strategy
00:36:01 – Comparing sectors and metrics
00:41:05 – Avoiding hot industry chasing
00:41:58 – Closing thoughts and sign-off
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
Go to auraframes.com and use promo code BEGINNERS at checkout to get $35 off https://auraframes.com/
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
Want to go deeper on real companies with simple, long-term investing guidance? Subscribe to the Value Spotlight Newsletter, where Dave and Andrew share stock ideas, valuations, and lessons from real businesses straight to your inbox.
In this episode, Dave welcomes Nick Rossolillo from Chip Stock Investor for a deep dive into the semiconductor industry.
They break down what semiconductors are, how the supply chain works, why the industry is so complex, and the critical companies powering technology today.
Nick also shares why “semiconductors are not the new oil,” what’s driving industry growth, and how investors can avoid common mistakes.
Key Topics Covered:
What is a semiconductor?
Why the industry is so complex and collaborative
The AI boom, accelerated computing, and industry growth
Moore’s Law, 3D stacking, and industry disruption
How to track supply chain trends and avoid valuation traps
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro & Nick from Chip Stock Investor
01:00 – What is a semiconductor?
03:00 – The chip supply chain explained
05:30 – Key companies: Synopsys, Cadence, ASML, TSMC, Nvidia, AMD
10:00 – How much tech do you need to know as an investor?
13:00 – Industry complexity & collaboration
16:00 – AI, accelerated computing, and industry growth
20:00 – Cyclicality, valuation traps, and supply chain signals
30:00 – Moore’s Law, 3D stacking, and future disruptions
40:00 – Investing lessons, capital allocation, and staying power
45:00 – Where to find more from Nick & Casey
47:00 – Sign-off: Invest with a margin of safety
Resources Mentioned:
The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/
Chip Stock Investor (Nick & Casey’s research): https://chipstockinvestor.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:
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
Go to auraframes.com and use promo code BEGINNERS at checkout to get $35 off https://auraframes.com/
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
You can download Evan’s free monthly budgeting spreadsheet here:https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/
In this episode of At Any Rate, Evan Raidt breaks down the practical process of deciding how much to save, spend, and invest—using a clear, percentage-based system that works for any income.
Evan walks through the 50-30-20 rule (and how he tweaks it himself), explains why percentages matter more than dollar values, and shows how to use a real-world budget outline (grab the free sheet here). You’ll learn where to start, how to handle must-have savings like 401k matches and HSAs, and how to prioritize Roth IRAs and high-yield savings accounts with any leftover funds.
Topics Covered:
Why percentages matter more than dollar amounts
The 50-30-20 rule (and Evan’s personal tweaks)
How to find your true net income for budgeting
The power of maxing your 401k match and using an HSA
Using credit cards only as payment vehicles (not for emergencies)
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro and why this topic matters
02:00 The problem with flashy dollar amounts—percentages are what count
04:30 How to use the free budget sheet
06:00 Setting your target percentages (50-30-20 and beyond)
09:00 Calculating net income and why it matters
12:00 Breaking down “needs” and why debt payments go here
15:00 Must-have savings: 401k match, HSA, home equity
18:00 Planning for big goals (cars, houses, etc.)
20:00 Prioritizing Roth IRA and high-yield savings accounts
24:00 Tracking and adjusting your “wants”
27:00 What to do with leftover funds
29:00 Final tips: avoid regular savings accounts, use credit cards for rewards only, and keep things hands-off with index funds
31:00 Wrapping up and how to get started
Resources Mentioned:
Free budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/
Roth IRA basics:
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/rothira.asp
High-yield savings accounts: https://www.nerdwallet.com/best/banking/high-yield-online-savings-accounts
Vanguard VOO ETF info:
https://investor.vanguard.com/investment-products/etfs/profile/voo
Have feedback or ideas for Evan? Comment below or email him at evan@einvestingforbeginners.com—your suggestions help shape future episodes.
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.
Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence: https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFB
Go to auraframes.com and use promo code BEGINNERS at checkout to get $35 off
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
Want to go deeper on real companies with simple, long-term investing guidance? Subscribe to the Value Spotlight Newsletter, where Dave and Andrew share stock ideas, valuations, and lessons from real businesses straight to your inbox.
In this episode, Dave and Andrew break down Warren Buffett’s legendary Four Pillars of Investing, sharing strategies to help you become a better investor.
They explore how to find quality information, why consistent earnings growth matters, how to build your own investment style, and the importance of management in long-term success.
Key Topics Covered:
Warren Buffett’s Four Pillars: quality of information, consistency of earnings growth, investment style, and management
The dangers of relying on bad sources or viral info
How to vet information and why annual reports matter
Evaluating management: using 10-Ks, earnings calls, and incentive analysis
Lessons learned from mistakes and the importance of qualitative research
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro: Buffett’s Four Pillars
01:10 – Pillar 1: Quality of Information
05:00 – Avoiding bad sources & social media pitfalls
10:20 – Using annual reports & direct sources
12:00 – Pillar 2: Consistency of Earnings Growth
15:10 – Compounding and durable earnings
18:30 – Moats and business strength
22:20 – Pillar 3: Investment Style & Circle of Competence
27:00 – Balancing narrative and numbers
31:00 – Pillar 4: Importance of Management
35:00 – Evaluating management: 10-Ks, calls, podcasts
38:00 – Incentives and compensation
40:00 – Final thoughts & Buffett’s timeless lessons
Resources Mentioned:
The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/
What We Can Learn from Warren Buffett’s Four Pillars of Investing (blog post): https://einvestingforbeginners.com/what-we-can-learn-from-warren-buffetts-four-pillars-of-investing/
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.
Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence: https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFB
Go to auraframes.com and use promo code BEGINNERS at checkout to get $35 off
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
Want to go deeper on real companies with simple, long-term investing guidance? Subscribe to the Value Spotlight newsletter, where Dave and Andrew share stock ideas, valuations, and lessons from real businesses straight to your inbox.
In this episode, Dave and Andrew welcome Brett Schaefer to talk about “emerging moats” and showcase his new research service.
Brett breaks down why he’s focusing on companies with growing competitive advantages, and shares deep dives into two off-the-beaten-path stocks: Oscar Health and Kraken Robotics.
The conversation covers what makes these businesses unique, the risks and rewards, and how investors can spot the next wave of winners outside the usual tech hype.
Key Topics Covered:
What is an “emerging moat” and why it matters
Kraken Robotics: defense tech, contracts, and growth runway
Oscar Health: ACA market, tech disruption, and scaling up
The risk and reward of dilution, contracts, and regulation
How to spot scalable competitive advantages
What Brett looks for in small/mid-cap stocks
The long-term opportunity in individual health insurance
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro and Brett’s new research service
03:00 What are emerging moats and why focus on them?
07:00 Kraken Robotics: tech, contracts, and defense industry growth
13:00 Oscar Health: ACA, tech, and the innovator’s dilemma
26:00 Risk, reward, and scaling up
40:00 How Brett researches and what’s next for Emerging Motes 50:00 Wrapping up and links to research
Resources Mentioned:
The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/
Emerging Motes Newsletter & Research: https://www.emergingmoats.com/
Chit Chat Stocks Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chit-chat-stocks/id1437766060
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.
Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence: https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFB
Go to auraframes.com and use promo code BEGINNERS at checkout to get $35 off
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
You can download Evan’s free monthly budgeting spreadsheet here:https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/
In this episode of At Any Rate, Evan Raidt sits down with Kim Butler—founder of Prosperity Thinkers, host of the Prosperity Podcast, and bestselling author of Live Your Life Insurance—to break down how life insurance can be used as a tool for building wealth (not just protecting your family).
They dive into the mechanics of whole life insurance: how it works, how you can borrow against your cash value, and why it’s more flexible than most people realize.
Kim covers the pros and cons, compares insurance to other savings vehicles, and highlights the importance of control and flexibility in your financial life.
Topics Covered:
Why saving comes before investing
How whole life insurance works (and why it’s not just for death benefits)
Borrowing against your policy: what really happens
Pros and cons vs. high-yield savings, bonds, and the stock market
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro and Kim’s financial awakening
03:00 Lessons from 4-H, cows, and early entrepreneurship
06:00 The real role of life insurance and why people misunderstand it
10:00 How to use whole life insurance as a savings tool
15:00 Borrowing against your policy: mechanics and benefits
20:00 Pros, cons, and comparisons to other savings options
25:00 Flexibility: loans, skipping premiums, and paying yourself back
30:00 Building control and opportunity into your financial life
33:00 Kim’s special resource for listeners
35:00 Where to find Kim and final thoughts
Resources Mentioned:
Kim Butler’s Website: https://prosperitythinkers.com/special/
Prosperity Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0T5efslEuybSsGH6rlp1nn?si=6ca2f4a7256a40dc
Live Your Life Insurance (Book): https://a.co/d/9YF1lAf
Kim’s Website: https://prosperitythinkers.com
Free monthly budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/
Have questions or feedback? Email Evan at evan@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below—your thoughts help shape future episodes.
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.
Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence: https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFB
Go to auraframes.com and use promo code BEGINNERS at checkout to get $35 off
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
Want to go deeper on real companies with simple, long-term investing guidance? Subscribe to the Value Spotlight newsletter, where Dave and Andrew share stock ideas, valuations, and lessons from real businesses straight to your inbox.
In this episode, Dave and Andrew take a stroll through the latest earnings reports from some of the world’s biggest and most influential companies to get a pulse on the real economy.
They break down what Walmart, Shopify, Netflix, JPMorgan Chase, McDonald’s, Home Depot, Uber, and UnitedHealth are revealing about consumer behavior, business trends, and economic health.
They also dig into the economic signals hiding in credit data, consumer spending, and even the return of the McDonald’s dollar menu.
Key Topics Covered:
Walmart’s strong growth and what it says about consumer spending
Netflix’s ad business, content hits, and streaming dominance
McDonald’s slowing growth and menu changes
Uber’s explosive growth in rides and delivery
UnitedHealth’s revenue, profit squeeze, and the impact of ACA subsidies
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro and episode overview
01:00 Walmart’s earnings and what they reveal about consumer trends
06:00 Shopify’s numbers, AI tools, and international growth
10:00 Netflix’s revenue jump, ad platform, and content wins
13:00 JPMorgan’s earnings, consumer credit, and economic signals
17:00 McDonald’s sales slowdown, menu changes, and consumer pinch
25:00 Uber’s ride and delivery growth, and what it means for the gig economy
34:00 Wrapping up: what these companies collectively say about the economy
39:00 Listener feedback and how to get in touch
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.
Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence: https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFB
Buy and sell your next car the easy way with, Carvana—no haggling, no hassle, just click and drive.
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
Want to go deeper on real companies with simple, long-term investing guidance? Subscribe to the Value Spotlight newsletter, where Dave and Andrew share stock ideas, valuations, and lessons from real businesses straight to your inbox.
In this episode of The Investing for Beginners Podcast, Dave and Andrew bring back David Stein—author, co-founder of AssetCamp, and host of Money for the Rest of Us—to demystify bonds.
David also breaks down the difference between investment-grade and high-yield bonds, how spreads signal fear (or complacency) in the economy, and why today’s higher yields make bonds more interesting than many investors realize.
Finally, they discuss practical ways to own bonds—ETFs, bullet ETFs, TIPS, and CLOs—and how to think about your allocation as you get closer to retirement.
Key Topics Covered:
What bonds are, how they work, and why the bond market is so big
How rising interest rates push bond prices down (and vice versa)
Investment-grade vs. non-investment-grade (high-yield) bonds and default risk
How bond spreads signal fear, recession risk, and investor sentiment
Using bonds for near-term goals like a house down payment vs. long-term retirement
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro and welcoming back David Stein
01:00 What are bonds and how do they differ from stocks?
03:00 How coupon rates, yields, and maturities work in practice
13:00 High-yield bonds, spreads, and what they tell you about recession risk
18:00 Defaults, diversification, and why most investors use bond ETFs
25:00 Using bonds for house down payments and near-term goals
29:00 How rising rates crushed bonds in 2022—and what that means going forward
33:00 Yield to maturity and duration: the two numbers that matter most
37:00 Modeling bond returns and recovering from price drops over time
41:00 Why valuations in stocks vs. math in bonds can change your allocation
44:00 Final thoughts on bonds as a tool for confidence and stability
Resources Mentioned:
Money for the Rest of Us (David Stein’s podcast)
AssetCamp (institutional-grade research tool)
Have questions for David? Email him at team@moneyfortherestofus.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:
Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today.
Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing
confidence: https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFB
Buy and sell your next car the easy way with, Carvana—no haggling, no hassle, just click and drive.
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
You can download Evan’s free monthly budgeting spreadsheet here:https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/
In this episode of At Any Rate, Evan Raidt and Andrew Sather dig into how to make smart spending decisions without living like a hermit or constantly feeling guilty every time you buy something.
They push back on the extreme “never spend money” advice that goes viral online, talk about how both of them have swung between over‑frugality and overspending, and explain why the real goal is a sustainable middle ground you can actually live with.
You’ll hear how to make sure a purchase truly fits your budget, why automation and separate accounts (or “vaults”) make life easier, and how to avoid lifestyle creep and sneaky “buy now, pay later” or monthly‑payment traps.
Topics Covered:
Why extreme “never spend money” advice backfires
How guilt and anxiety can wreck your spending decisions
What it actually means for a purchase to fit your budget
Using automation and separate accounts/vaults to simplify money
Planning for annual/irregular expenses (holidays, birthdays, clothes
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro and “have you ever bought anything?”
01:00 Extreme frugality trends and why they’re not sustainable
04:30 Swinging from super‑frugal to overspending (and back)
11:30 What it means for a purchase to truly fit your budget
15:00 Automation, separate accounts, and “vaults” for big goals
19:00 Lifestyle creep, furniture financing, and Amazon payment plans
28:30 Making sure you can still afford your needs after a purchase
36:00 Planning for holidays, birthdays, and other irregular costs
40:00 Willpower vs. systems, and final takeaways
Resources Mentioned:
Free monthly budgeting spreadsheet:https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/
Have questions or want to share how you handle big purchases? Email Evan at evan@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below—your stories and questions help shape future episodes.
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.
Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing
confidence.
Have questions? Send them to newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com
SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW
Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Want to go deeper on real companies with simple, long-term investing guidance? Subscribe to the Value Spotlight newsletter, where Dave and Andrew share stock ideas, valuations, and lessons from real businesses straight to your inbox.
In this episode of the IFB podcast, Dave and Andrew answer a thoughtful set of questions from listener Bruno about building confidence as a long-term investor, using ETFs like the S&P 500 and a quantum-themed ETF, and whether it ever makes sense to leverage an investment portfolio when buying a home.
Dave and Andrew share practical ways to narrow the universe of stocks using simple filters like the price-to-earnings ratio, plus how checklists and focusing on a single industry can make decisions easier and less overwhelming.
They discuss why knowing “what’s under the hood” is critical, how position sizing matters, and why most investors are better off treating thematic ETFs as small, speculative slices of a portfolio.
Finally, they address Bruno’s question about using an investment portfolio as collateral for a home loan, sharing their concerns about leverage, black swan risks, and why this is usually a high-net-worth, advisor-level conversation.
Key Topics Covered:
How to build confidence reading fundamentals and financial reports
How investing checklists help you avoid blind spots and repeatable mistakes
Focusing on one industry at a time to compare a small set of competitors
Pros and cons of broad ETFs like the S&P 500 for long-term investors
The risks of using your portfolio as collateral for a home loan
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro and Bruno’s email with three big questions
01:00 Struggling to trust your own analysis and fundamentals
06:00 Decision overload, restaurant menus, and narrowing your choices
09:30 How a checklist can build trust in your process
18:00 Question 2: Thoughts on ETFs like the S&P 500 and a quantum ETF
20:00 Why broad S&P ETFs are a “set it and forget it” core holding
22:30 Looking under the hood of a quantum ETF and its holdings
28:00 Question 3: Using your portfolio to help buy a home
37:00 Final thoughts on planning, margin of safety, and Bruno’s questions
Resources Mentioned:
The Vale Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/
At Any Rate with Evan Raidt
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1KSDP3QV8VnLLL9Bz03Hi7?si=a1aa66569c2b4148
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.
Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing
confidence.
Buy and sell your next car the easy way with, Carvana—no haggling, no hassle, just click and drive.
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




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fellas I have to disagree with side hustle being passive income. if you're actively working I don't think that can be considered passive. even a hobby can still be a job.
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I just listened to "The Investing for Beginners Podcast - Your Path to Financial Freedom" and I must say, it's a real game-changer! As someone who's been wanting to dip their toes into the world of investing but felt overwhelmed by all the jargon and options out there, this podcast was an absolute lifesaver. https://www.flickr.com/people/wax-paperie/ The hosts broke down complex concepts in such a simple and relatable way. From explaining the difference between stocks and bonds to discussing various investment vehicles like index funds and real estate, they covered a wide range of topics without making me feel like I was drowning in information. https://justpaste.it/u/WaxPaperie
This was a great listen for those of us getting near retirement. Lots of great information here. Thanks for including this in your podcast and hope you add more content from time to time for older investors.
I think your discussion about diversification might lead people down the wrong path
I just started listening to this podcast and like that these guys don't add all the drama that many do today. It's a great listen for not only new investors. I would love to hear more on investing for those of us in our 50' and 60's.
this is a perfect Sunday morning listen!!! Thanks so much!
Show has a lot of potential. I would like there to be more of a back and forth exchange between the hosts. There is a tendency (usually for Andrew) to talk a long time, while the other host sits in silence. I find that this makes the show less entertaining. I would also recommend having more listener input included in the show, such as pre-recorded calls from listeners who have questions. Overall, I feel that the pace of the show could be improved by covering more topics during each show and by having a better balance in the speaking contributions from the two hosts. When answering a question or giving an opinion, I feel that it would be more interesting if one host did not spend so long doing so. In short, need to pick up the pace, have more balanced interaction, and not spend so long on one particular point.
Good show, I work in an investment bank in Ghana 🇬🇭 and we do similar training for the public
love the content of this podcast. I am a beginner investor and I loved the way Andrew guides the nubes with his thoughts and line of thinking . I am definitely going the path of value investing. The only qualm I have is the quality of the audio. it has been going up and down and has really gone down . would really appreciate if I can listen this with better audio quality . cheers guys