Capital Adulting

Oftentimes, the financial conversation centers around the individuals who aren't responsible with their resources, but that overlooks another group: Those who are "over-savers", or folks who are worried about not having enough. They tend to be ultra-conservative financially and often shortchange the enjoyment they could have in life by being overly future focused. If that's you, today's episode is for you. It's not bad to save/be protective in general, but remember, money is designed to help you live life, not drive you to live for money!

A recent WSJ survey indicated that Gen Z considers themselves the most hopeless generation in recorded American history. A significant portion of respondents answered no when asked if they thought their lives would be better than their parents. In a slightly different style episode, I delve further into the current mental state of young Americans, the reasons to feel hopeless, but more importantly, the compelling case for why we should be more hopeful than ever. While certain things are more difficult, the reality is there has never been more opportunity to find success than there is today. It takes creative thinking and hard work, but a path to achieving our goals in modern day America is available. On top of that, it's easier than ever for each of us to find "success" in a way that's meaningful at the individual level, rather than trying to match a societal stereotype.Give it a listen and take some time to think through how you can capitalize on the opportunities in your life today.

There's a lot of doom and gloom on the news today: Despite strong economic signs, layoffs are happening, inflation is stabilizing higher, and folks feel generally discouraged. While life is extremely unpredictable, there are clear steps to start taking today to protect yourself from any downside risk.In today's episode, I dive into some general ideas/tips on ensuring you're well-positioned to weather unexpected financial crises. The most important component is being proactive and planning ahead. When a disaster occurs, it's too late to make the changes necessary to stay afloat. While it requires discipline and sacrifice, it's critical to make prudent financial decisions today to build your own safety net for the future.

Ever been overwhelmed with your financial situation? Unsure of where to start on a plan? In today's episode, we zero in on a framework for better understanding yourself and how to parlay that knowledge into devising the right financial strategy for you.

Ever made a bad decision in your life? What did that look like? If you look closer, was it really a bad decision, or just a bad outcome?In today's episode, I dig into the difference between good and bad process, how that impacts the outcome, and how we should psychologically approach our decision making and analysis.

From an economic perspective, President Biden's loan forgiveness policy is a complete failure. Yes, student debt has ballooned, but without solving the core issues that led to the crisis in the first place, this plan is simply an expensive band-aid. Instead, we should tackle: Government lending practices Rising costs of education Financial illiteracy of the 17-18 year old kids making six figure decisions Without tackling the root problems, we're only jeopardizing future generations of students across the country.

There's a reason the path to an average life is well traveled, average is average for a reason after all. Do you want to look back on life with regrets, or be proud of what you were able to do? In today's episode, I lay out my personal perspective for understanding/defining your end goals, establishing a framework to achieve them, and a new mentality around embracing failure.

Inflation and interest rates, two things we're hearing about constantly. What do they mean and why are they important? How are these concepts affecting my everyday life? In today's episode, I give a basic rundown of inflation, the factors that play into it, and the action the Federal Reserve is taking to counter it. Let me know what you think!

I'm back! It's been awhile and a lot has changed in the world. In today's episode, I dive into the events that have upended 2022 and what this means moving forward. I give my insights into what I think may happen economically in the near term and how to best prepare yourself for what's to come. As always, let me know your thoughts!

For non-finance folks, it's hard to know how to start managing your personal finances. Questions like what do I do with my money, should I get a credit card, how do I invest commonly arise. Because of that, I wanted to revisit my starting tips for those looking for answers. Six starting points to ensure a strong financial future: Understand current obligations/expenses and short/long term financial goals Budget carefully Build credit Fund an emergency reserves account Start investing Avoid bad debt!

The cost of attending college has increased over 1,200% in the last forty years. It's not uncommon to see students take out six figure debt for a bachelor's degree, which begs the question: Is it worth it? In today's episode, I mix practical steps to evaluate this type of decision with broader philosophical commentary to help guide you towards the best choice for you. Everyone's situation is different, there's not a one size fits all answer, but hopefully this adds value to you or someone you know.

Covid brought a lot of market turmoil and a new wave of folks jumped into the investing world for the first time. They've employed a mix of strategies, some investing, some trading, some unsure what approach they're taking. In today's episode, I highlight the differences between investing and trading, the pros and cons of both, and a good starting point for those still on the fence about whether or not to put their money to work.

We've been hearing a lot about inflation lately, so how dangerous is it? In today's episode, we'll walk through what inflation is, the risks it poses, and how to protect yourself. Inflation = Increased prices, the value of your money decreases Three signification risks: Time value of money, loss of purchasing power, and risk to key investments How to protect yourself: Control spending and avoid big purchases in hot sectors Re-evaluate your investment positions Increase compensation where possible

Finding a new job is tough, but it's even harder to get that elusive offer. Here's some advice on how to set yourself apart and be a no brainer hire for your dream job. Network - You always want a warm intro. Find someone in your network who's willing to discuss the job/company and meet with them. Research - Know the role/company/industry in-depth. Being able to demonstrate your detailed knowledge in an interview can set you apart. Application - Keep it clean, professional, and accurate. Four page resumes or typos will sink your hopes before the phone screening. Personal relationships/positive imagery - Always make that personal connection with a hiring manager and reinforce a positive image of you in their minds. Preparation - Be ready for anything in an interview, in particular have specific life examples to lean on that are relevant to the questions asked. Respect people's time - Meet them when they're free, submit a clean application, ask thoughtful questions, and thank them at the end. Never burn bridges!

If you're looking for a job or are thinking about proposing a counteroffer, this episode is for you. Negotiating is both an art and a skill, and getting good at it will unlock a myriad of new opportunities for you. -Negotiating isn't a bad thing. It's intended to produce a win-win for all parties involved. -Confidence is key. Always demonstrate your value and what you'll bring to the team, but a lack of confidence will sink your chances at a better offer for you. -Let the hiring manager name the first numbers. If they do, they set the floor for your compensation. If you go first, you're setting the ceiling and could easily miss out on more. -Be creative! Ask for more PTO, remote work/flexible hours, better retirement/health benefits, or even better, expedite your review process. Ask for one at six months rather than waiting a year. -In all cases, negotiate professionally and in good faith. Otherwise, you'll burn bridges that will cost you job opportunities, both now and in the future. -At the end of the day, it's your decision to accept a job. Own it.

If the stock market purely operated on what a company is worth, it would be the easiest game ever. As usual though, the human element throws a massive wrench into the equation. When evaluating your investments, it's mission critical to recognize the role that emotions play and understand how to play those to your advantage. Key Issues That Arise -Everyone becomes fearful, which leads to irrational selling and vice versa, folks get greedy and drive prices up. Oftentimes, neither scenario reflects a material change in a company's actual value. -Blindly following trends: We see this all the time, probably now more than ever with the rise of Reddit's WallStreetBets. If you don't understand what and why you're investing in something, you will fail -Getting impatient: It doesn't work to constantly jump in and out of the market while trying to time it up. Play the long game and it will reward you in the end.

There are a myriad of investment opportunities out there, ranging from individual companies to funds will all kinds of strategies. That makes picking out the appropriate investments difficult. Here are some things to consider: How old are you? What are your financial goals? Do you have a specific strategy (high growth, income, diversification, etc?) Main Types of Funds Mutual Funds - Generally actively managed (expensive,) limited liquidity, access to a wide array of companies Exchange-traded Funds - One of the most common vehicles today, mix of passive and active management, another great way to limit risk Index Funds - Aim to track a specific index like the S&P 500. Generally these are passively managed (cheaper) and a great starting point for many investors.

Google "investment calculator," plug in a $1,000 investment at 8% growth for 40 years, and see the magic unfold before you. Getting rich isn't just for a select, lucky few, but for everyone who takes advantages of what's around them. It starts by changing your mindset, determining your end goals, and leveraging your time, opportunities, and access into financial freedom. Don't put limits on yourself. You don't need fancy credentials to be successful. Adjust your mindset. This is an inevitability, not a faint possibility. Take on an appropriate amount of risk! Invest as early as possible and do so consistently over the course of your life. It may take a few decades to get there, but hey, I'd rather be 65 and well off than 65 and broke because I was impatient, but that's just me.

We can always doing better. No matter where we're at in life, there's room for improvement, proactive steps we can take to ensure a better future for ourselves and those we care about. Which financial category do you fall into? Surviving: Trying to make ends meet, potentially overcome some poor financial choices Driving: Somewhat stabilized financially, looking to get the next leg up Thriving: Achieving your financial goals and living the life you want I dive into these categories and how to climb up the ladder here on episode 15!

Each day we have a chance to achieve new things, take on new challenges, and learn new things. No matter where you're at in life, there's always an opportunity to seek out things you enjoy, establish a life framework to reach your end goals, and execute on your plans. Don't let the moment slip! $750 Instagram Giveaway!! Follow @capitaladulting on Instagram Comment on the first post and tag a friend If chosen, you and your friend will each get $50! For $250, post a screenshot of your favorite Capital Adulting podcast episode to your Instagram story and tag @capitaladulting. One winner will get $250! *Deadline is 12pm PDT Sunday, March 28th*

No matter what stage in life you're in, it's important to have a rough outline of your goals and what you're hoping to accomplish. Now is as good a time as ever to sit down, evaluate your life situation, and lay out your vision for your future! Step 1: Know your thought process: Are you a planner or more laid back? What are the pros/cons of each type? Step 2: Understand the need for a plan: It provides an objective baseline to compare your progress against and keeps you focused on the right things. Step 3: Recognize/build out the three Ps: Priorities - What's important to you? What do you hope to achieve in life? Personality - What kind of workload can you handle? How much risk are you willing to take on? Possibilities - What interests do you have and should pursue? What isn't aligned with your skillset and should be avoided? Stay flexible, adapt your framework as appropriate, and continually re-evaluate as you go. Don't set hard review dates like every 1-5 years etc. Check yourself and your progress on a regular basis!

Side hustles are a great way to supplement your income or pursue personal interests and passions outside of your day-to-day life. While there are some misconceptions out there about how life changing one can be, a side hustle provides numerous benefits: -Additional income -Diversified work experience -Opportunity to learn new things -Chance to succeed and fail, promoting personal growth in both cases Things to keep in mind: -Understand the point of your side gig: Earn money or take on a passion project? -How much time/resources can you commit to it? -Routinely ask yourself, "Do I still enjoy it?" As always, check out capitaladulting.com or email me at grant@capitaladulting.com for more!

Gamestop, AMC, Blackberry and other stocks skyrocketed in value without much change in the businesses themselves. What the heck happened? Host Grant Gardner reviews the events that transpired, breaks down what has been possibly the greatest short squeeze ever, and what's potentially next for the market.

Buying a home is a fantastic way to build your personal wealth over a lifetime. It allows you to put your money toward an appreciating asset (in general) rather than subsidizing someone else's property. Key Takeaways: Rent money is wasted. A mortgage payment adds to your net worth. Know what your housing needs are and your timeline to buy. With this in mind, manage your money so that it's available when needed. Be patient and emotionless when going to buy. This is a big decision and shouldn't be taken lightly.

There are several different types of investments accounts that you can use to buy and sell stocks, bonds, and other securities. Each have different pros and cons so it's important to choose what makes the most sense for you. Listen to the end for some bonus ideas towards buying a home as well! Here's a brief breakdown: Brokerage: Maximum flexibility on pulling cash out and investment options, but taxed the most. 401k: Employer sponsored plan that usually offers some sort of match, but has limited investment options and money is tied up until you're 59 1/2. Traditional IRA: Funded with pre-tax money and has unlimited investment choices, but money is taxed on withdrawal and is locked until 59 1/2. Roth IRA: Funded with post-tax money, unlimited investment options, able to pull contributions at any time, withdrawals are tax free, but earnings are locked until 59 1/2.

My 2020 Key Takeaways Life is unpredictable and we can only control so much. That doesn't mean taking a passive approach, actually quite the opposite. As life changes, we must adapt and capitalize on new opportunities Having emergency plans/funds is a MUST! If you had any doubts about whether you needed to save money for a crisis, 2020 took care of it. Opportunity always exists. It won't always look the same and it requires out-of-the-box thinking, but you can always find a new way to win. That goes for 2021, what worked for this year won't for the next. Maintain a broad perspective and seize the moment when it presents itself.

As part of a new government spending bill, approximately $900 billion was allocated for Covid relief, including another round of stimulus checks. Here are the details: $600 for every adult and child dependent, max of $2,400 for a family of four Adult dependents (17+ and seniors) aren't eligible Payments are expected to start next week, per Secretary Mnuchin How you should use it: Pay down debt, starting with the highest interest rate (credit cards) Establish your emergency fund/build your savings Invest! (It's free money, no risk if you lose it) Spend some, particularly on supporting your local community and charitable causes

With 2020 coming to a close, it's time to start thinking about tax season. I know, it's everyone's favorite, but it's unfortunately a part of life. However, there are options to minimize what you owe so you can put more money back in your pocket. Concepts: Tax system - How different governments (federal, state, and local) generate revenue to pay for goods and services. Income tax - A percentage of income that goes to the government. This is progressive, meaning the more you make, the higher your top tax rate is. Taxable income - Any monetary benefit (cash or otherwise) that is subject to taxes. Deductions - These are items you can use to lower your taxable income, like student loan interest. You can also reduce your taxable income by contributing money to accounts like a traditional IRA/401k or HSAs/FSAs *Special for 2020: There is a $300 charitable deduction, meaning you can donate $300 pre-tax to the organization of your choice. Please consider taking advantage of this as the world needs more good things and you benefit as well!

It's critical to find a healthy balance with your money. Obsessing over it will drive you nuts, not being focused enough could create a financial crisis down the road. Discover how to find your financial middle ground in today's episode. Key Reflections/Questions: Reflect on your financial life goals (ideal house, cars, family, other big ticket items.) What influences can you break away from? What is your lifestyle and what resources are needed to achieve it? Are you tracking towards your financial goals? Do you currently have an unhealthy relationship with money? (Overspending, spending poorly, not spending enough) What steps can you take to find your balance?

Everyone gets excited when they get their first paycheck. However, this is also when a lot of mistakes are made. Host Grant Gardner dives into the key financial priorities to ensure you're setting yourself up for future success. Financial Priority Order Fully funded emergency fund Establish a solid savings account Pay down debt Start investing Purchase valuable things

What even is investing and why should I be doing it? How/where do I get started? In today's episode, host Grant Gardner answers these questions and more while offering some tangible steps you can take to start making your money work for you.

In today's episode, host Grant Gardner dives into seven of the most common financial mistakes that people are making today and some easy steps to avoid/correct them. Mistakes in order of discussion: Spending too much time on your phone/other devices You go out to eat too much Can't afford more major car maintenance Making minimum payments on your credit card Not optimizing your 401k plan Not negotiating your salary/wages Not investing or taking age appropriate risks If you enjoyed the podcast, please give us a rating and review, we'd really appreciate it!

Too many young adults either miss out on opportunities to improve their lives financially or make mistakes early on, both resulting in less than ideal situations. Episode 1 outlines our mission at Capital Adulting and our goal of creating a community centered around building each other up and enhancing the financial standing of all. Join us in our mission by subscribing to the podcast! Our Mission: We aim to positively impact the fiscal well-being and security of others through guidance geared towards improving personal financial literacy and accountability.