My Two Cents: Finance for Teens & Young Adults

Why do smart people still make investing mistakes? In the first episode of the series Behavioral Insights into Investing, My Two Cents explores how behavioral biases like overconfidence, herding, loss aversion, and the disposition effect can shape the way individual investors trade, react to risk, and make decisions. This episode also looks at why financial literacy matters, especially for teens who are increasingly interested in investing. Educational and awareness purposes only. Not investing advice.

Research used in this episode:

• Schwab 2026 Teen Investing Survey: 95% of teens are interested in learning more about investing, and 70% are very or extremely interested in investing. (aboutschwab.com)
• Systematic review on behavioral biases affecting individual investors: Emerald
• Behavioral biases and individual stock investor behavior/performance: ScienceDirect
• Financial literacy and behavioral biases in investment decisions: Frontiers in Psychology / PMC
• Financial literacy moderating behavioral biases and investment decisions: Emerald

In this episode, Mahima interviews Gio Ahern, an investing partner at Andreessen Horowitz, discussing his journey from high school to a career in investing. They explore the daily life of an investor, essential skills for young investors, and the differences between private equity and venture capital. Gio breaks down complex investment terms and shares insights on trends in healthcare technology. He also offers practical advice for young adults on personal finance, resources for learning about investing, and the importance of starting early with brokerage accounts and index funds. The conversation concludes with thoughts on the nature of money and investing, emphasizing a steady and boring approach to personal finance.

In Part 2 of our "Scam-Proof Your Brain" series, we examine three digital scams that disproportionately affect teens: online shopping fraud, imposter scams, and cryptocurrency investment schemes.

Mahima explores the phenomenon of perceived financial success in cryptocurrency, highlighting how social media influences investment behaviors and contributes to fraudulent activities by exploiting herding behavior. The episode also discusses other digital scams exploiting present bias and authority bias.  Episode references peer-reviewed research from the University of Rhode Island, Harvard Medical School, the National Institutes of Health, and the University of Vaasa.

In Part 1 of our "Scam-Proof Your Brain" series, Mahima examine's fake scholarship and job scams - two of the most common frauds targeting teens. Discover how scammers exploit scarcity and urgency manipulation to bypass critical thinking, and learn why optimism bias makes even smart people vulnerable. This episode references peer-reviewed research from Taylor's University, the Better Business Bureau Institute, and the FINRA Foundation.

In this episode, Mahima interviews financial advisor Nicolle Willson, of Team Hewins, who shares her journey and insights into financial planning. They discuss the role of a financial advisor, the importance of early financial habits, and practical money management tips for young adults. The conversation also touches on the future of personal finance, including digital trends and the importance of building a healthy relationship with money.

This episode explores the financial aspects of wellness, discussing why healthy living can feel expensive and how to make smarter financial choices around food and fitness. Mahima highlights the growth of the wellness economy,  factors contributing to high prices, and offers global examples of affordable health solutions. The episode concludes with practical tips for integrating health and wealth, emphasizing the importance of building habits that are both cost-effective and beneficial for long-term wellness.

Quick note: This podcast is just for info and learning - we’re not promoting any apps or products.

In this episode of My Two Cents, Mahima speaks with Ishan, a consultant and venture capitalist, about his journey into finance and investing. Ishan shares insights from his experience, myths surrounding quick wealth in investing and practical advice for young entrepreneurs. The conversation highlights the significance of understanding money management for all careers and provides resources for learning about finance.

Mahima sits down with Ruhi, a young dentist who just bought her own practice. They dive into things we all need to deal with - credit scores, saving vs. spending, and how to start investing. Ruhi keeps it real about the trade-offs, the wins, and the lessons she wishes she learned earlier. 

In this episode, Mahima sits down with Sri (pronounced “Shree”) Rejeti - the co-owner of and a powerhouse behind Beaulogy, a buzzing salon in Fremont, California. Sri spills the tea on what it’s actually like to chase your passion, from stressing over money and pricing to keeping a solid team. 

In this episode, Mahima breaks down compound interest, the time value of money, and why starting early, even with just a little, can lead to big growth. Only 17% of young adults can explain compound interest. That means 83% of our peers are missing out on what could be free money. You're ahead by just listening to this episode.

*Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and not to promote any financial products.