Sometimes the markets have confidence, well at least their investors do. And sometimes the market struggles to find conviction. What helps you understand the difference between the two? Volume.

Think being smart protects you from financial blunders? Think again. In this episode of The Pete the Planner Show, we uncover why even the most intelligent, high-earning individuals routinely make money mistakes. From gym memberships we never use to inflated lifestyles we never questioned, we explore the sneaky psychological traps—like overconfidence, present bias, and lifestyle creep—that derail even the best of us.

You’ll learn why financial IQ doesn’t always translate to good behavior, and more importantly, how to bridge that gap with practical tools rooted in behavioral science. Whether you're making six figures or just trying to make ends meet, this episode will help you stop being your own financial enemy.

Segments include:

You Know Better, But Do You Do Better? – Why knowing isn’t doing.

The Smart-People Traps – The surprising ways confidence costs you.

How to Outsmart Your Smart Self – Tactical strategies to outwit your own brain.

Smart doesn’t equal invincible. Let’s get better together.

The markets are nervous, the economy’s acting weird, and housing feels increasingly out of reach. In today’s CalmCast, we walk you through three critical signals: what investor sentiment is telling us (and why it’s not the whole story), what stagflation is and whether we’re in danger of it, and why housing affordability is straining the budgets of millions.

We’ll help you make sense of what’s happening—and what you can do to stay grounded, no matter the economic weather.

Topics Covered:

Stay calm. Stay informed. Stay on course.

We know it’s bad for us—and we still buy it. In today’s Storytime with Pete, we dig into the bizarre economics of spending money on things that actively hurt us: alcohol, junk food, and those late-night dopamine bombs we call “treats.” Why do we do it? Blame your brain chemistry. Pete unpacks the science of dopamine, the illusion of indulgence, and the very real cost of self-sabotage—with just enough sarcasm to keep you from crying into your curly fries. This one’s part money talk, part emotional intervention. Bring your budget... and maybe a kale smoothie.

In this episode of CalmCast, we break down one of the most misunderstood stock market tools: the circuit breaker. What triggers it, why it exists, and what it actually means for your investments. Then, we zoom out to explore how a sharp drop in U.S. markets can ripple through the global economy — impacting everything from oil prices to your grocery bill. Finally, we bring it back to you: how to set meaningful financial goals when the world feels financially unstable.

Whether you're anxious about your 401(k) or just trying to stay the course, this episode is your reminder to pause, breathe, and take one solid financial step forward.

AI isn’t coming for your wallet—it’s already living in it. In this episode, Pete unpacks the surprising ways artificial intelligence is reshaping your financial life, from how your bank detects fraud to how scammers clone your voice. We explore the good (smart budgeting tools), the bad (AI-generated investment scams), and the weird (why your insurance premium changed without a human decision). Whether you’re intrigued or uneasy, one thing’s clear: ignoring AI in finance is no longer an option.

In today’s episode, Pete peels back the curtain on three numbers that get tossed around like financial gospel — but may not tell the whole story.

In this episode of Storytime with Pete, we tackle the awkward truth about spending money on your health. Sure, it doesn’t come with rewards points or Instagram clout, but ignoring your body’s maintenance needs? That’s a financial strategy with a guaranteed crash. Pete breaks down why co-pays feel like emotional theft, how preventative care is the least sexy but most valuable expense in your budget, and what it really means to invest in your future self—even when it feels like paying for a gym you barely go to. Spoiler: staying alive costs money, and that’s not a scam. It’s just adulthood.

Reading the Signals: What Charts, Indicators, and Your Wallet Are Telling You

Technical Analysis – Why traders are obsessed with charts, and what you can learn from their patterns.

Leading Indicators – The economic signals that whisper “recession” before anyone makes it official.

Cash Flow – Your personal financial early-warning system—and how to use it to stay in control when everything else feels out of whack.

Whether you’re managing a portfolio or just trying to make it to next payday, this episode will help you spot the signals that matter—and ignore the noise that doesn’t.

Breathe easy. Make a plan. Let’s get to it.

We usually talk about money problems like they’re something to fix. But what if the real breakthrough is getting addicted—in the healthiest way possible—to the right financial habits? This week, Pete breaks down how to rewire your brain to crave progress instead of purchases. From the neuroscience behind smart money decisions to the financial routines that actually stick, we’ll explore how to build a habit loop that pays off (literally). No shame, no spreadsheets—just practical psychology, positive momentum, and a few weirdly satisfying tips for getting hooked on financial success.