

Money For the Rest of Us
J. David Stein
A personal finance and investing podcast on money, how it works, how to invest it and how to live without worrying about it. J. David Stein is a former Chief Investment Strategist and money manager. For close to two decades, he has been teaching individuals and institutions how to invest and handle their finances in ways that are simple to understand. More info at moneyfortherestofus.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 19, 2025 • 42min
Burnout, Breaks, and the Courage to Spend with David Bach
Join bestselling author David Bach, known for 'The Automatic Millionaire,' as he explores burnout prevention through sabbaticals and the benefits of moving abroad. He advocates taking Social Security early and stresses the importance of enjoying retirement in the 'go-go' years. Bach introduces his innovative flat tax proposal for IRA distributions, which could boost the economy and encourage spending. With insights on travel dynamics and the psychology of spending, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on financial freedom.

Nov 12, 2025 • 21min
Sports Betting Is Not Investing
Explore the booming U.S. sports betting market and its controversial scandals. Discover the alluring yet misleading claims of low-risk betting strategies and why they're still a gamble. Learn how behavioral biases can lead to betting addiction, even amidst the lure of high-probability bets. Dive into the math behind betting odds and the elusive house edge, revealing why consistent profits are unlikely. Ultimately, understand the stark differences between investing and gambling, emphasizing that betting is inherently risky.

Oct 29, 2025 • 22min
Hoarding, FOMO, and Zcash: A Private Bitcoin
Explore the fine line between hoarding and investing as David discusses the appeal of assets like gold, Bitcoin, and Zcash. Discover his personal journey with Zcash, including the challenges of access and market size. Delve into the emotional aspects of investing, like FOMO, and how it influences decisions. Learn about Zcash's privacy features and the regulatory implications, as well as the small share of illicit crypto activity. David emphasizes the importance of managing risks and controlling emotions in investment strategies.

Oct 22, 2025 • 27min
Don’t Take Financial Advice from AI
The discussion highlights how AI can misinterpret basic financial concepts, leading to common mistakes, such as overlooking the time value of money. A real-world example reveals how AI can miscalculate loan evaluations. The risks of relying solely on AI for significant decisions, like military modeling and personal finance, are addressed. Listeners are encouraged to use AI as a supplement to human expertise and to always fact-check its outputs. Additionally, the podcast explores opportunity costs, sunk costs, and practical tools for making informed financial choices.

Oct 15, 2025 • 19min
Debasement Fears or Meme Fever? What’s Driving the Gold and Silver Rally
Explore the reasons behind the surge in gold and silver prices, from fears of currency debasement to the allure of a speculative rally. Discover how central banks' increased purchases and limited supply are influencing demand. Uncover the differences between gold and silver's market dynamics, including industrial vs. investment demand. Delve into whether current price movements are fundamentally sound or merely driven by momentum and meme-like trading behaviors. Get practical tips on owning gold and effective strategies for investing.

Oct 8, 2025 • 26min
Beyond Munis — New ETFs for Tax-Efficient Bond Investing
Explore the intriguing world of tax-efficient bond investing! Dive into the benefits of municipal bonds and compare them with new tax-efficient ETFs. Discover how the Alpha Architect BOXX ETF cleverly uses options to achieve tax efficiency. Learn about the FM Compounder Aggregate ETF and its unique strategy to sidestep distributions. David discusses the risks involved with new ETFs and reveals how their approaches can complement an investment portfolio focused on yield. Don't miss insights on the evolving ETF landscape!

Sep 24, 2025 • 6min
Money for the Rest of Us Update
David shares exciting updates, including a members-only livestream discussing key forces shaping the next decade. He explains the pause in regular content to prepare a monthly investment strategy report. Recent platforms for free content are highlighted, along with new video shorts on investment topics. David reflects on community engagement, the writing process for his second book, and improvements for the Insider's Guide newsletter. Regular episodes will return in October, as he expresses gratitude for listener support.

6 snips
Sep 17, 2025 • 26min
Resilient Wealth in an Era of Infinite Money
Explore the intriguing relationship between money supply and inflation, highlighting the effects of quantitative easing on wealth inequality. Discover the surprising benefits of deflation and how unorthodox policies, like Nixon's approach in the '70s, have shaped our financial landscape. Learn about demurrage currency and its implications for wealth management, alongside practical tips for building resilience in a world awash in money. This discussion decodes the complexities of modern monetary policy and everyday financial strategies.

7 snips
Sep 10, 2025 • 23min
Forests, Fakes, and the Fight for the Real
Explore the intriguing balance between the physical and digital economy, from salmon sightings on Vancouver Island to the dynamics of timber investing. Discover how leisure time is spent between real-life experiences and digital distractions. Delve into the ethics of AI-generated advertising and why live events hold significant value in a world increasingly dominated by artificiality. Reflect on the importance of authenticity and genuine connections as we navigate this evolving landscape.

Aug 27, 2025 • 25min
Why Central Banking Is So Hard and Why Fed Independence Matters
Central bankers navigate a complex landscape with incomplete information and competing goals. The podcast discusses the importance of Federal Reserve independence and its implications for markets and inflation. Listeners learn about the recent insights from Fed Chair Powell and the impact of presidential critiques on monetary policy. It also tackles challenges in determining the right interest rates, emphasizing their significance for economic stability and growth. The episode draws parallels to international examples, showcasing the risks of undermining trust in central banking.


