The Post Money Plan

 

Every dollar counts they say. When it comes to indulging, retail shopping is where spending can really explode. Consequently, having frugal tricks of the trade when it comes to shopping can go a long way.

 

-Content Level: Beginner-

 

In this episode, Dallas discusses shopping tips and tricks with Loretta, a retired wife and frugal shopper who has handled a majority of the shopping for her household over the course of 40+ years. Loretta shares some of the strategies she has developed over time through trial and error that have saved her family a lot of money over the course of time.

 

In the episode, we discuss:

-Beneficial shopping philosophies

-Planning purchases ahead of time

-Good ways to get the best deals

 

 

 

And God said, “Let there be light” and there was light. We’ve had the sun from the beginning and it should be around for as long as energy consumption is a concern for humanity. Although most of our energy production currently comes from fossil fuels, solar power still remains virtually an untapped resource that can produce an almost infinite amount of power relative to our needs.

 

-Content Level: Beginner-

In this episode, Dallas discusses the proposition of installing a solar panel system on your home with Larry, a home owner who is in the process of adding to his home solar panel system. Larry installed his solar panel system 2 years ago and was happy enough with the performance of the system to want to add additional capacity.

 

In the episode, we discuss:

-The catalyst for Larry deciding to use solar power

-The types of power home owners can potential use to generate electricity

-The things in your home that consume the most electricity

-The normal amount and cost of power consumption in an American household

-The power and savings potential of a residential solar panel system

 

 

To live in a city or not live in a city? That is the question. While the cost of living in all cities is categorically higher than suburban or rural areas, San Francisco is notoriously high.

 

-Content Level: Beginner-

In this episode, Dallas discusses the cost of living in San Francisco and other major cities with Stephen Ngao. Stephen is a Fund Manager who moved to San Francisco for work after having lived in L.A., New York, Atlanta, and Boston. Stephen shares his breadth of urban living experience and considers the pros and cons of various geographical choices.

 

In the episode, we discuss:

-Stephen’s personal experience across various American cities

-What makes up the major components of cost of living

-Cost of living statistics in America and specifically San Francisco

-Reasons for high costs in metropolitan areas

-Details about costs in San Francisco

 

 

What is slavery? Where does freedom, choice, and agency in decision making come into play? Is slavery extinct or does it still exist today?

 

-Content Level: Advanced-

 

In this episode, Dallas philosophizes with medical resident Michael about when working conditions cross into what could be defined as modern day slavery. While many complaints in Western society can justifiably be deemed as “first world problems” and incomparable to historical and current injustices of unadulterated slavery, when it comes to a person’s free choice in labor many restrictive and oppressive situations exist even in America.

 

Michael also provides an inside look at the process of becoming a medical professional and the financial risk and sacrifice of freedom that comes along with that choice.

 

In the episode, we discuss:

-Defining slavery

-Qualifying conditions of slavery in labor and agency in personal decision making

-Examples of possible slavery in today’s society

-Moral considerations of free choice versus slavery in labor

-Possible solutions to reducing slavery in labor today

 

 

 

They say that Americans are linguistically handicapped. That may be a stereotype, but I can personally vouch for it! Having grown up in Saudi Arabia and having to tell people that I know only English is embarrassing. While many Americans can get by just fine on only English and American culture, many Europeans are forced by the nature of Europe to have more linguistic and cultural knowledge than us Americans, which in an increasingly valuable skill in our progressively globalizing world.

 

-Content Level: Beginner-

In this episode Dallas speaks with Stefan Linden in The Netherlands about working in a multicultural work environment and what it’s like integrating into expat society. Stefan works in a European organization that requires multi-lingual communication as well as cultural understanding on a daily basis. He discusses his move from Germany to The Netherlands and the process of adapting to the new environment, workplace, and culture.

 

In the episode, we discuss:

-What it’s like and personal experiences integrating and working in a multicultural environment

-The impact of different languages on communication

-Benefits of a multicultural work environment

-Risks in a multicultural work environment

-Handling conflict brought on by cultural misunderstandings

 

 

When you’re struggling to get a job and nothing is working, it can seem like a complete mystery. Further complicating the issue are implied social constructs of the way one ‘ought’ to do certain things. Knowing how the recruitment process works and how headhunters tie into the picture can help shed some light on the confusion and enable you to more efficiently navigate the labyrinth of getting a job.

 

-Content Level: Beginner-

 

In this episode, Dallas Post speaks with Peter Yeh about the recruitment process and headhunters. More specifically, we cover:

 

-How the recruitment process works

-Important things to know about the recruitment process

-Incentives that internal recruiters and head hunters have

-Things you should be thinking about negotiating with recruiters

-Things you should avoid doing during the recruitment process

 

Peter Yeh is a management consultant and MBA graduate who has experience from both sides of the recruiting table as both a several time job candidate and an internal recruiter.

 

 

Student debt… the stuff of nightmares. Although most of us Millennials still have it, it’s not all bad news. In this podcast we continue to investigate the origin and implications of the current student debt situation in the U.S.

 

-Content Level: Beginner-

 

 

In Part 2, we address what we all can do about student debt on an individual and societal level.

 

In Part 1, we covered theories behind the growing student debt load and why student debt is such a looming problem

 

The episode is hosted by Dallas Post, joined by Sandy Leeds – Distinguished Senior Lecturer at the University of Texas at Austin.

 

 

Student debt… the stuff of nightmares. Although most of us Millennials still have it, it’s not all bad news. In this podcast we investigate the origin and implications of the current student debt situation in the U.S.

 

-Content Level: Beginner-

 

 

In Part 1, we cover:

-Theories behind the growing student debt load

-Why student debt is such a looming problem

 

In Part 2, we’ll address what we all can do about student debt on an individual and societal level.

 

The episode is hosted by Dallas Post, joined by Sandy Leeds – Distinguished Senior Lecturer at the University of Texas at Austin.

 

 

A goal isn’t worth anything if it doesn’t translate to action. It’s where rubber meets the road. As a follow on to our New Year’s podcast on goal setting, in this episode we apply the goal setting principles to a specific case with a Post Money Plan financial coaching client – Dallas speaks with Mayra about setting her own goals. Mayra reveals two of her own personal goals and agrees to do a follow-up podcast in 6 months to check in on her results.

 

-Content Level: Beginner-

 

In the episode, we cover:

-The value of planning and setting goals

-How to set goals

-How to achieve goals

-Creating a forward-looking “Life Story” to help Mayra think about what she wants to accomplish in the future

-Setting “Overarching Objectives” based on the Life Story to take her in the direction she wants to go

-Setting Goals based on the Overarching Objectives to get specific about how she will get there

-Developing Execution Methodology to lay a clear path forward on what actions she is going to take to accomplish the goals

 

Mayra’s 1st Goal:

Lose 12 lbs in 6 months

 

Mayra’s 2nd Goal:

Reduce private student loan balance by 20% in 6 months

 

 

The episode is hosted by Dallas Post, joined by Mayra, a young single who went from being reliant on her parents to becoming a responsible and financially conscientious steward of her resources.

 

 

Unemployment… The specter of doom. Something you always hear about but hope to never experience yourself. More than likely, we’ll all encounter it at one point or another – if only for a short time.

 

-Content Level: Advanced-

 

In the episode, we cover:

-What unemployment is

-The impacts of unemployment

-Causes of unemployment

-How unemployment is measured

-The difference between measured unemployment and reality (people’s own experiences)

-What you should do to avoid unemployment

 

The episode is hosted by Dallas Post, joined by Reid I’Anson and Murray Williams.

 

Supplemental Resources:

Labor Force

Unemployment rate

How unemployment is measured