Often the financial world advocates “more money” and “more growth” – but can you live with less? Graham Hill is a firm believer that you can live on less. Graham’s awesome TED Talk, “Less Stuff, More Happiness” set off a lively debate. He shares his unique view on society’s need to get more money, more power, more stuff…just “more” in general. Yet, studies show that beyond a certain minimum income level, people’s happiness levels don’t increase the more money they earn. Doug and Graham discuss why having more money doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have more happiness, and why the idea less = happiness is true for many people. You need to be picky about your financial advice. Everyone has an opinion on everything, particularly money. Who should you turn to for financial advice, and how can you separate sound advice from nonsense? Doug talks about the advice given in a Kiplinger article, 12 Reasons You Will Go Broke in Retirement. To learn more about Graham’s radical lifestyle ideas visit www.lifeedited.com. If you’re not already receiving updates on new episodes, sign up now, and as a special bonus, receive Doug’s free ebook The Retirement Planning Book.

What is graphene, and where and how is it used? Andre Geim, who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010 for his work in discovering graphene, discusses his work and its practical implications. How easy is it to turn a scientific breakthrough into a viable consumer product?

Is it possible to make an income from passive income, or is it all internet hype? Online entrepreneur Pat Flynn, from the Smart Passive Income blog, explains how more and more people are running successful online businesses. He also shares how he earns money from passive income and gives tips on how to begin an online business. Follow Pat Flynn at: www.smartpassiveincome.com and on Twitter @PatFlynn.

Does being an optimist have hidden benefits? Benjamin Zander, music director of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra and the co-author of The Art of Possibility, explains how learning from your failures can turn you into an optimist. Follow Benjamin Zander at: www.benjaminzander.com and on Twitter @BenjaminZander

Professor Gary Becker, 1992 Nobel Prize Winner in Economics, shows you how to apply economic theory to family finance. Learn new ways you can make sound financial decisions, and resolve family conflicts about money.

What is “loss aversion,” and why does it cause investors to make mistakes? Professor Daniel Kahneman, winner of the Nobel Prize for Economic Sciences in 2002, is well known for his work on the psychology of judgment and decision-making. Find out what loss aversion is, why overconfidence can be bad for investors, and how to avoid making financial mistakes.

Many investors use “financial forecasting” and base their investment strategy on what they think might happen in the markets. Is that a good idea? Roger Whitney, CFP®, host of The Retirement Answer Man podcast, and Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd., discuss the problems with choosing investments based on predictions of what might be. Learn the difference between assumptions and forecasts and find out what you should look for in both the short and long term. Should you buy bonds if interest rates go up? What happens to bonds when interest rates rise? Watch an eight-minute video on bond laddering and how it can help you make the most of rising interest rates. Follow Roger Whitney on The Retirement Answer Man podcast on iTunes and on Twitter @Roger_whitney

Market trends are often reflected in indices, like the Dow Jones Index or the S&P 500. But what about an index based on social media? Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, a financial advisor specializing in cross-border investments, discusses the BUZZ Index, an index based on social media statistics, with its founder, Jamie Wise. Find out how the BUZZ Index works and why people may be more inclined to tell the truth on social media platforms than in polls. Why you and your spouse need to talk about money Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, discusses the importance of communicating with your spouse about money and why both of you should attend financial planning meetings together. Watch a 3-minute video that explains the necessity for both spouses to be involved in all major financial decisions. Follow Jamie Wise at: www.buzzindexes.com and on Twitter @BUZZIndexes.

Spousal U.S. social security benefits can add up, so if you are divorced (or know someone who is), make your claim accordingly. Devin Carroll, financial advisor at Carroll Investment Management, discusses with cross-border financial planner Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, the effects of divorce and remarriage on Social Security benefits. Find out why women in particular should research what they may be entitled to when they retire, whether single, married, or divorced. Depending on your situation, it may be more than you think. How to help seniors handle their investments One of the toughest financial questions people ask is when to let go of financial responsibility. When should you consider adding additional names to your financial accounts and train someone to follow through with your financial values? Get the answers in a 12-minute video about how to let go of responsibility and pass it onto the next generation. Follow Devin Carroll at www.socialsecurityintelligence.com and listen to his podcast, Big Picture Retirement, on iTunes. Follow him on Twitter @DevinACarroll

"Cheapskate" isn't necessarily a pejorative term, as cross-border financial planner Doug Goldstein, CFP®, finds out when he interviews Jeff Yeager, author of How to Retire the Cheapskate Way: The Ultimate Cheapskate's Guide to a Better, Earlier, Happier Retirement. Learn why cheapskates rarely suffer from “buyer’s remorse,” and get tips for how to teach children the advantages of delayed gratification. Follow Jeff Yeager at www.ultimatecheapskate.com and on Twitter @JeffYeager How using a checklist can help you become a better investor The Checklist Manifesto promotes the use of checklists for pilots and in minimizing medical mistakes. But could using a checklist improve your financial situation? Look at a real example of an interactive checklist for how to open a U.S. Brokerage Account from Overseas, and send an email to get a checklist on how to choose a good investment advisor.