Why podcasts are great for productivity
Everyone wants to improve their grasp on their personal finances, but few have the time or patience to learn all there is to know. Some feel overwhelmed or completely lost by the information, procrastinating their taxes or dipping into savings until it comes back to haunt them.
Fortunately, podcasts offer a way to learn without spending thousands in tuition or hiring an expert. Whether you’re writing a report or exercising early in the day, listening to a podcast on financial advice requires little effort.
We’ve covered podcasts on productivity in the past, so this time we’ll discuss podcasts on personal finance.
Financial Independence Podcast
They say you’re never truly independent until you’re financially independent. That’s exactly what Brandon, aka the “Mad Fientist”, achieved. Once a software developer, the Mad Fientist eventually became financially independent and retired at 34.
Now he runs his own podcast, guiding others who hope to retire (or at the very least organize their finances) at a relatively young age. Listen to the Financial Independence Podcast to learn about tax-avoidance strategies and financial tools to begin your journey into early retirement.
Suggested episode: Camp Mustache – Q&A with Mr. Money Mustache, Afford Anything, & The Military Guide
Planet Money
Now in its 10th year, Planet Money has developed a following with its simple premise: “The economy explained.” Originally a spinoff of This American Life, Planet Money features engaging dialogues with industry experts, with episodes on American health care, the 2008 financial crisis, and the Wells Fargo account fraud scandal, for which they won a 2016 Peabody Award.
If you want to stay updated on financial news, but also be able to understand it in simple English, Planet Money is a great starting point.
Suggested episode: Inside Washington’s Money Machine
Freakonomics Radio
When Freakonomics was released in 2005, the book received both rave reviews and criticism for its unique take on economics- from cheating in sumo wrestling tournaments to the socioeconomic impact of selecting certain birth names. Journalist Stephen Dubner and economist Steven Levitt were able to make economics interesting, and more importantly, relevant to current events.
With the Freakonomics Radio, the weird insights continue in a weekly format. While Levitt is only an occasional guest, Dubner makes for a consistently reliable and entertaining host. Some of the most interesting topics explore what the world would be like if run by economists, and the true value of a college degree.
Suggested episode: The Health of Nations
Entrepreneur On Fire
Every entrepreneur worth their salt is bound to face some personal finance problems. After all, they are trying to grow a whole business with minimal investment. But the best way to learn is through the shortcomings of other entrepreneurs. That’s where Entrepreneur On Fire comes in, a podcast specifically for entrepreneurs.
Most episodes feature other expert entrepreneurs that discuss their own experiences and their lessons learned. Whether you’re an entrepreneur veteran or forming a startup for the first time, Entrepreneur On Fire will be worth listening to.
Suggested episode: Think and Grow Rich: The Legacy with author James Whittaker
Stacking Benjamins Podcast
If other podcasts are like TV shows with weekly episodes, Stacking Benjamins is like a weekly magazine with varied sections. Each episode is a little over an hour, but each segment is about fifteen minutes, covering anything from saving to investing. Stacking Benjamins is the recipient of numerous podcast awards, including the Academy of Podcast award for Best Business Podcast of the Year, the 2017 Plutus award for Best Personal Finance Podcast, and Kiplinger magazine’s sole recommendation for finance podcast. It currently has a 4.5-star rating on Apple Podcast, based on 605 reviews. If you’re looking for financial advice, Stacking Benjamins is a great place to go.
Suggested episode: Our Best Advice For Beginning Savers (No Matter Your Age)
High quality, informed financial advice can be hard to come by. Sometimes it’s expensive, ill-informed, or just plain mind-boggling. Podcasts have a way of simplifying some of the complicated concepts, therefore creating more accessible ways for people of all ages to learn.
Don’t put off your personal finance until it becomes serious. Take the steps to save and organize your money today. Once you start listening to any one of these podcasts, there’s no excuse.
For more resources and guidance on personal financial planning, check out Novel Coworking’s blog today.