Jesse Cramer is the founder and voice behind The Best Interest Blog and the Personal Finance for Long-Term Investors Podcast, where he educates over 25,000 DIY investors and financial advisors every month. With a background in mechanical and aerospace engineering, Jesse has a gift for making complex financial topics surprisingly simple. Today, he brings that same clarity and precision to his work as a fiduciary, fee-only advisor at a wealth management firm in Rochester, New York.

In this episode, Leonard and Jesse discuss:

• Journey from aerospace engineer to personal finance educator
• Why understanding your real spending habits is critical to retirement planning
• How the engineering mindset helps break down complex financial systems
• The most common financial mistakes people make—and how to prevent them
• How podcasting and financial education can empower individuals at all life stages

Key Takeaways:

• Many individuals drastically underestimate their actual monthly spending, leading to flawed financial plans that feel solid—until the numbers don't add up.
• Financial planning mirrors a spider web: every financial decision pulls on another thread, revealing an intricate system where nothing exists in isolation.
• While investments often take center stage, the true value lies in holistic planning—blending tax strategies, risk protection, and long-term income coordination.
• Clarity begins with humility: assuming no prior knowledge, effective educators break down complex topics to their first principles, avoiding industry jargon.
• When people truly understand both their risk exposure and spending habits, they gain the confidence to make intentional, informed financial choices.

“ It's the idea that I don't want to say investing is table stakes in our industry, because it's probably not, but I think investing can be the easier part of our job... I just like learning all the cool stuff in the planning world that I didn't know before.”

- Jesse Cramer

Connect with Jesse Cramer:

Website: https://bestinterest.blog/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-cramer-11b58155/ 

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personal-finance-for-long-term-investors-the-best-interest/id1553180943 

Connect with Leonard Raskin:

Website: https://www.raskinglobal.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonardraskin/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RaskinGlobal 

Email: [email protected]  

Leonard’s BOOK: FiduciWho?: What a Real Fiduciary Will Tell You about How to Protect, Grow, Enjoy, and Transfer Your Wealth

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.